OPERATION Stack came into force on the M20 in Kent this afternoon after the Channel Tunnel was shut.

A power failure at the French terminal caused by bad weather conditions meant the entire crossing was closed at 7.30am and by 2pm the stretch of the coastbound motorway between junctions 11 and 12 was cordoned off to park up waiting lorries.

All traffic was redirected to Dover to use the ferries. Eurostar services were also suspended with passengers having to stay overnight on the continent.