Paramedics are using four-wheel-drive vehicles to help them reach patients amid today's heavy snow.

The hired 4x4s are being used by South Central Ambulance Service in rural areas of Oxfordshire.

They are also being used to pick up call centre operators and specialist medical staff in snow-affected areas to ensure they can get to work.

The ambulance service is contacting patients with pre-booked non-emergency hospital visits to warn them that they will not be picked up by an ambulance today, due to the difficult road conditions.

Spokesman Alison Brumfitt said waiting times for non-life threatening calls could also be longer than usual.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk