Holidaymakers and lorry drivers are set for more border misery when new passport checks are introduced.

Bosses at the Port of Dover are predicting major delays when updated EU rules are introduced requiring passengers to undergo biometric checks.

According to the Telegraph, there will be ongoing problems when the Entry-Exit System (EES) is launched, possibly in September.

At present, EU passport checks are done in Dover and UK controls are in Calais.

But a lack of technology and infrastructure to handle the new requirements in Kent will likely see ongoing hold-ups until a solution can be found.

Because of the nature of the tests, some people will be required to leave their vehicles – slowing down the current processing time.

The port fears record delays associated with the introduction of new Brexit rules, with the Channel Tunnel terminal also hit.

Its head of EU exit, Tim Reardon, said: “This particular element has the potential to be much more disruptive than anything we've seen so far.

“The challenge with this new biometric passport control process is that everything is required to be done at the frontier itself. They've loaded the full weight of the process on the point where traffic is least able to cope with it.”

The port handles more than 3.1m passengers and 2.1m lorries a year.

Mr Reardon said the new checks will affect all traffic passing and called on the British and French governments to reach an agreement to avert the problem.

He said: “We've been trying to engage the UK Government in this looming risk for a good couple of years now. They have become more interested in the last two or three months.”

Under the new scheme, all non-EU citizens will have to register to create a digital ID at border checkpoints and then be subjected to a biometric check as they enter the Schengen free-movement area.

Last month, delays around the port caused major gridlock on the county's roads.