by Graham Tutthill

Immigration officers are due to go on strike at the Channel ports this weekend.

They are protesting at plans to cut the allowance they receive for working in France.

The officers, who are members of the PCS union, say it would result in them losing around £500 a month.

The strike is due to start at 6.30am on Saturday, December 19, and go on until midnight. Pickets will be outside the UK Border Agency offices at Martello House in Folkestone.

It is understood that the Border Agency is planning to draft officers in from as far away as Cornwall to man the ports, but union members say they still expect delays and disruption to cross-Channel passengers.