Travellers faced waits of up to two hours at the Port of Dover during one of the most popular mornings of the summer.

A nine-lane-wide queue stretched alongside the white cliffs this morning on the approach to the border where French guards were checking passports.

Port of Dover officials said overnight more than 35,000 people had passed through on their way to France on Friday and had told travellers on Saturday not to arrive more than three hours before their sail time.

It posted online to say it is “extremely popular during the summer” and the average border processing time for tourists is currently little over two hours.

Some drivers have been venting their frustration by honking their horns and an ambulance flashing blue lights was temporarily stuck in traffic but has now got through.

Some 16,904 passengers were on their way after travelling via the Port of Dover which said it was “busy but traffic is constantly flowing”.

They have told travellers to use the main routes only to avoid further traffic delays, adding: “This morning is one of our most popular times of travel throughout the summer.

“The current processing time reaching border controls is 90-120 minutes.”

Dover TAP was put in place on the A20 just after 7.20am this morning due to heavy freight volumes, but was stood down by 3.50pm.

The Dover Traffic Access Protocol scheme was implemented to prevent port-bound traffic from disrupting the local road network and the A20 through Dover town.

As traffic began to ease up, MP for Dover and Deal, Natalie Elphicke, said: “It’s been a challenging day in Dover for port traffic.

“With many travellers changing their plans due to the continental heatwave, this has increased traffic further. It’s encouraging that wait times are now falling and traffic is moving through more quickly.

“This underlines why work needs to progress at pace on lorry parks and check in facilities so that Dover is kept clear of congestion during busy periods and holidaymakers are sped through to their summer break.

“We’ve secured £45million of levelling up funding for Dover’s roads and port - that needs to be put to work. It’s vital to keep Dover clear and traffic moving at busy times.”