Holidaymakers travelling through the Port of Dover have been warned to expect long waits.

Ferry operators were reporting delays of up to an hour-and-a half ahead of French border checks at the port earlier this morning.

Motorists have been warned to brace for delays with the Dover TAP traffic regulating measure also reportedly introduced on the A20 at around 6am this morning in a bid to reduce any problems.

According to traffic monitoring tool Inrix, TAP is in place from Roundhill Tunnel to Dover at the Western Heights roundabout.

It means the first lane of the carriageway is closed for lorries to use, while the others remain open for regular motorists.

Meanwhile at the port anxious motorists expressed concerns at the long waits.

One said: “I've never missed my ferry, ever, but today I think I'll miss it and probably the next one too.

“Absolute disaster. Dover was never going to be able to cope.”

In an update issued at midday, the Port of Dover said: “So far today, we've helped 14,558 passengers over to France “There is currently a 45 minute processing time ahead of French border controls.”

Last month, bosses at the Port warned of upcoming delays as schools across England and Wales break up for the holidays.

In the same week, it was announced that the stretch of A20 next to Aycliffe is now being designated as a quiet zone from 11.30pm to 7am the next day.

Over the years when TAP has been used neighbours have complained about being kept awake by frustrated HGV drivers sounding their horns when they are held up.

The quiet zone, implemented by National Highways, stretches for almost a mile from the Court Wood Interchange near Capel-le-Ferne, to the Western Heights Roundabout, which leads to the only entrance road to the small community of Aycliffe.