At least three people die in Spain's worst snowstorm in 50 years

Public urged to stay at home as Storm Filomena traps motorists and brings Madrid to standstill

• Storm Filomena causes heavy snow in Spain - in pictures

The Spanish government has urged people to stay at home after at least three people died as the worst snowstorm in 50 years struck the country, bringing Madrid and the surrounding region to a frozen standstill and leaving hundreds of motorists trapped in their cars.

Storm Filomena hit Spain on Friday, bringing snowfalls not seen in Madrid since 1971, according to the state meteorological office, Aemet. The snow continued overnight and into Saturday, by which time 50cm had fallen in parts of the Madrid region.