Council staff are being asked not to book holidays during the fortnight after the Brexit date.

Dover District Council wants as many workers as possible to cope with possible turmoil just after the UK finally leaves the EU.

A spokesman said: "Like most public service bodies and many businesses, we are asking staff not to take leave around March 29 (the formal leaving date).

" We are asking staff not to take leave between 29 March and 14 April, but are honouring existing bookings. This is to enable DDC to be able to respond to any eventualities that might arise around Brexit."

The council, like the rest of the country, is hovering in uncertainty about the nature of the deal to leave the European Union, if there is one, and Britain's future trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world.

But it is sure that Brexit will have a "significant impact" on local government.

Specific concerns for this area are to do with transport, customs arrangements and port health.

It says it also has to be ready for effects on the local economy, tourism, potential changes to funding and amended legislation.

It adds that the implications to changes to border and customs arrangements are major considering more than 10,000 lorries passing the Port of Dover on peak days.

Changes from Brexit may also mean more work for the council as the Port Health Authority for both the port and Channel Tunnel.

Current port health controls are allowed to be small-scale but he effects of Brexit could mean they have to be done in full.

Keith Morris, council leader, will give a briefing in possible effects of Brexit in this area at the authority's full meeting at 6pm tomorrow.

Councillors will be lobbied out side their offices at Whifield by EU.Thinking Dover + Deal.

I will ask how Cllr Morris intents to protect local communities from the effects of a no-deal exit from Europe.

A group spokesman said: "We will be asking if he will be approaching the Westminster government to urge a suspension of Article 50 and /or a people's vote to break the parliamentary deadlock."

EU.Thinking Dover + Deal is a cross-party group campaigning to minimise ill-effects of Brexit in this area.

For further details on the council's preparations for Brexit see the web page dover.gov.uk/brexit.