Stranded Irish to return from France

Up to 200 Irish holidaymakers stranded for more than 24 hours at an airport in the French Alps because of heavy snow were expected to finally fly out last night.

A number of roads across France have been closed after the country declared an orange weather alert in 19 regional departments.

Around 15,000 vehicles were trapped in the Savoie region when roads leading to two of its main ski resorts became impassable.