Danish authorities have reopened motorway and rail links with Germany. The border crossings were closed on Wednesday in a bid to stem a flow of refugees heading north towards Sweden.

At Rodby, where train ferries arrive in Denmark from Germany, two trains had been stopped by police. Refugees on board the train had refused to disembark, police said.

Denmark is part of Europe’s Schengen zone, where borders are meant to be open to allow free movement.

The motorway linking the two countries was closed when around 300 refugees began walking along it.

Witnesses said police tried to persuade them to leave but appeared reluctant to use force.

Sweden and Germany are preferred destinations. Both have more generous refugee policies than their EU neighbours.

Many are reluctant to remain in Denmark where a centre-right government has cut benefits.