China's worst snowstorms in 50 years have brought the world's biggest annual human migration to a standstill, leaving millions of migrant workers stranded ahead of a week-long festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Icy temperatures, snow and sleet across the south, centre and east of the country have closed railways, motorways and airports and there are fears of riots as discontented travellers vent their frustrations.

Gordon Brown has used a visit to Beijing to strike a deal under which Chinese investment will be warmly welcomed in Britain.

Alistair Weaver takes his life in his hands as he pilots an armchair, mounted on a seven-litre engine, with no brakes, in traffic on modern French roads, and finds out how the racing pioneers did it