Massive queues are building in France as people heading home following the half-term break are hit by the impact of border staff going on strike.

P&O Ferries said it is taking six-and-a-half hours for coaches to be processed from arrival at the ferry terminal in Calais for Dover.

Meanwhile, cars are queuing for up to an hour at the barriers.

UK Border Force staff are on strike until early on Monday morning which is causing problems for holidaymakers and tourists coming back to Britain.

DFDS told customers its services from Dunkirk are running as normal with traffic "free flowing" through the port's check-in and border patrols.

The operator also said there are no reported issues leaving the UK from Dover.

In a statement, P&O said of the Calais delays: "There are limited toilet facilities, we recommend stopping en route.

"Please come prepared with refreshments to make your wait more comfortable."

Services on the Eurotunnel are said to be running normally, the company says.

Border staff started their walkout yesterday morning leading to warnings of significant delays for travellers.

The strikes, which have been planned by Public and Commercial Services Union, are taking place at Dover, Folkestone and across the Channel at the UK border in France.

A statement from the Home Office says military personnel have been trained to stand in for striking workers.

"Hundreds of people from across government and the military have been trained to carry out essential checks at the border," a spokesman said.

"They will be present at airports and ports across the UK, not only at the locations directly impacted by strikes."

Normal services are expected to resume from about 7am on Monday when the strike action ends.

It follows similar recent action by French workers.

Steve Dann, Border Force chief operating officer, said: "It is disappointing for travellers that yet again strike action may cause disruption for those entering the UK.

"Border Force’s number one priority to is keep our citizens safe and borders secure.

'We continue to work closely with port operators...'

"We are working together with partners across the travel industry and our French counterparts to ensure we can continue to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border.

"During the periods of industrial action, travellers should be prepared for disruption. We encourage everyone to check the latest advice from operators before travelling."

In a statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: "Border Force and port operators are working hard to ensure all travellers have a safe and secure journey, however we have been clear those entering the UK should expect disruption during strike action.

"We continue to work closely with port operators at a local and national level to minimise delays.

“Those travelling into the UK today should keep up-to-date with the latest advice from operators to check how the strike action will affect their journey.”