Eurostar cancelled four trains between London, Paris and Brussels as a precaution amid heavy snow, weeks after freezing temperatures caused a major shutdown on the service.

A spokesperson for Eurostar said all customers booked on cancelled trains would be moved to other trains, while anyone who did not want to travel on Wednesday could change their tickets at no additional charge.

"Eurostar services are operating today. However, due to continuing severe weather conditions, services are subject to delay and possible last minute cancellations," the operator said in a statement on its website.

A spokesperson confirmed to AFP that four trains had been cancelled - the 0730 from London to Brussels, the 1613 from Paris to London, the 1859 from Brussels to London and the 1902 from London to Paris.

The spokesperson said the move was "a precaution" after the high-speed trains broke down in the tunnel between Britain and France before Christmas, sparking a three-day suspension of service that left thousands of passengers stranded.

The freezing temperatures and heavy snow that caused the break-down returned to Britain this week, forcing airport and school closures across the country. - AFP