The First Minister has criticised hauliers after several HGVs jackknifed blocking the M80 motorway during the red weather warning on Wednesday.

Hundreds of motorists were stranded in their cars overnight as authorities struggled to reopen the road amid a constant stream of snow and freezing temperatures.

Transport Scotland estimated 50 cars were left abandoned on the motorway whilst others waited for more than 18 hours to continue with their journey.

The Met Office issued red weather warning meaning a threat to life existed.

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon asked Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister's Questions on Thursday what more could be done after the transport minister, Humza Yousaf, repeatedly warned people not to travel.

"I am going to be quite blunt here," Sturgeon told MSPs.

"I, as Members would expect, paid close attention to the live cameras on the M80 over the course of yesterday afternoon and yesterday evening.

"If I can be absolutely frank there was far more HGVs on that road than there should have been when a red warning was in place.

"I do think we have to be very clear in the message we are sending to companies who deliver goods in HGVS, and this is not a criticism of drivers because driver-safety is one of the important issues here, during a red weather warning a HGV should not be on one of our trunks roads unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

"And I saw some branded HGVs in pictures yesterday and given the branding on them I would struggle to say their transport was unavoidable."

More severe wintry weather is forecast for the country.

An amber warning is in place for much of Scotland until 10 am on Friday.

The Met Office warn "some rural communities might be cut off for several days" as more snow continues to fall.