An ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded planes across the United Kingdom today, disrupting thousands of airline passengers.

Airports operator BAA said all flights in and out of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick would be suspended from midday, said a BBC report. However, the terminals will stay open.

In Scotland all airports are shut and most others around the UK have cancelled or suspended flights.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned ash could damage engines, the report said.

Passengers were advised to contact their carriers prior to travel.

Experts have warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud would be sufficient to jam aircraft engines.

Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were shut as Nats said it was restricting flights 'in accordance with international civil aviation policy'.

The ash cloud disrupted all flights to and from Manchester with a similar picture at Newcastle airport where all arrivals were cancelled and all outbound flights either cancelled or subject to indefinite delay.

British Airways said it had cancelled all domestic flights for the whole of Thursday, which affected flights at London's Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports.

The company said it would refund its passengers or offer the option of rebooking.

The European air safety body, Eurocontrol, said the cloud of ash had reached 55,000ft and was expected to move through northern UK and Scotland by 1300BST.

Brian Flynn, assistant head of operations of its central flow management unit, told the BBC: 'As it moves toward the Netherlands and Belgium it will dissipate and lose intensity, like any weather phenomenon. But we don't know what the extent of it will be.'

All air traffic at Oslo airport in Norway was also suspended due to the ash clouds.