Ferry companies have denounced suggestions they could be made responsible for stopping illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.

The election of Emmanuel Macron as the French president, has sparked concerns he is prepared to act on a pledge to scrap the current border arrangements, in which UK border officials work at Calais.

That has led to a warning by the UK Chamber of Shipping there would be delays and colossal queues around the ports on both sides of the channel as checks were made.

Guy Platten, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping said: "The respective governments should consider the economic impact. If ferry operators, were required to check every lorry before embarkation for illegal immigrants, then voyage delays will see colossal queues of cars and lorries, particularly around French ferry ports.”

"Asking ferry operators to take this role on has untold and complex legal ramifications.”

The government wants the existing arrangements covered by Le Touquet treaty, to stay in place.

"If ferry operators, were required to check every lorry before embarkation for illegal immigrants, then voyage delays will see colossal queues of cars and lorries, particularly around French ferry ports" - Guy Platten

However, reports suggest that if the treaty is scrapped, a government contingency plan would involve ferry companies carrying out checks and facing £2,000 fines for illegal stowaways.

Theresa May has said while she is prepared to talk to the French president about the treaty, she will oppose any plan to scrap it.

During a campaign event, Mrs May said: “It works for the benefit of both the UK and France and obviously in the government that is elected after June 8, we will be sitting down and talking to Monsieur Macron and others about how that system has worked both to the benefit of France, as well as for the benefit of the UK.”

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said Brexit offered the chance of a new “entente cordiale” and said Mr Macron could be a positive force.

“We need to plan now to make sure trade continues to flow freely – whether there is a deal with the EU or not. Dover is the gateway and the guardian of the nation. Gridlock at Dover would gridlock the UK economy too. We’ve seen in recent years how finely balanced the infrastructure is and how problems can swiftly spiral.”