The majority of flights are to stay grounded until at least 7pm on Monday, as current restrictions imposed across the UK due to the volcanic ash remain in place.

The air traffic control company Nats has said the only planes that could fly would be in Shetland, subject to certain checks.

A statement on Nats' website has said conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic.

This will come as little consolation to hundreds of thousands of British people stranded elsewhere and waiting to get home. Many are having to pay out for accomodation and food.

Ministers have held a meeting at 10 Downing Street to try and work out how to get passengers back to the UK. The Government has indicated the Royal Navy may be drafted in to help.

Airport operator BAA is asking passengers not to travel to its airports until further notice and to keep in touch with their airlines.

The EU has said it expects half of its countries to be clear of the ash cloud on Monday.

Norway, Germany and Italy are among those expecting to see flights resume.

Volcanologists are warning that eruptions from Mount Eyjafjallajokull could continue for months.