Great Christmas getaway begins with 12million taking to Britain's roads

The great Christmas getaway is in full swing with millions of Britons taking to the roads, railway stations and airports to spend the festive break with friends and family. The AA predicts about 12 million cars will be on the roads due to people visiting friends, going shopping trips and heading on holiday Millions of people driving home on Friday's Christmas getaway face a 'nasty cocktail' of potential road disruption, the AA has warned, on what is expected to be the busiest day for traffic over the festive period At around midday there were severe delays on the M1 following a multi-vehicle car crash. Crowds of commuters hurry towards their train at Paddington Rail Station, North-West London, this afternoon Hundreds of people wait to board thier trains in front of the information boards at Paddington train station this afternoon Jostling for position: The great Christmas getaway is in full swing with millions of Britons hitting the roads, rails and airports to spend the festive break with friends and family. Travellers heading to their Christmas destinations carry suitcases aboard an Underground tube train at Tooting Broadway Festive getaway: Today is expected to be the busiest day for traffic over the festive period, with large queues already seen from early this morning at London St Pancras as passengers waited to board the Eurostar Patient: Travellers wait at Paddington rail station in London as they head off to see friends and family for Christmas today Looking forward to the holidays: People at Heathrow in London are pictured getting ready to jet off for the Christmas period Waiting: Passengers sit with their luggage as they wait to jet off for the Christmas break at Heathrow in London this morning A quick sleep: One passenger took the opportunity to have a nap while waiting to board a flight from Heathrow this morning TRAIN IMPROVEMENTS SET TO CAUSE DISRUPTION Rail passengers face disruption, with the annual festive shutdown meaning no trains will run on Christmas Day, with only certain services on Boxing Day. People travelling on the Eurostar from London St Pancras are pictured earlier this morning Ready for Christmas: Travellers at Paddington station on their way to board trains for a festive getaway earlier this morning Rail passengers face disruption, with the annual festive shutdown meaning no trains will run on Christmas Day, with only certain services on Boxing Day.