Flights across much of Europe are being cancelled on a second day of massive disruption caused by drifting ash ejected from a volcano in Iceland.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers are affected and severe disruption could extend into the weekend, including on flights to North America and Asia.

Some 5,000 flights were cancelled on Thursday as airspace from the Republic of Ireland to Finland was closed.

The ash is not thought to pose a serious health risk to people however. ( BBC NEWS )