A leading county councillor has called for "high-level" talks to investigate the problems caused by Operation Stack.

The move came after Nigel Collor, the county council member for Dover Town, raised the issue at a full meeting of the council.

Cabinet member Nick Chard said he was calling for a meeting with the police, Highways Agency, Dover District Council, Eurotunnel, Dover Harbour Board and the ferry operators to start an investigation into the effects Operation Stack has on residents and businesses in the area.

Audio: Cllr Nick Chard calls for talks on Operation Stack

Cllr Chard said: "The problems occurring in the week before Christmas when the port of Calais and Eurotunnel were closed have highlighted the need for a new contingency plan when large numbers of lorries and passenger cars are caught up in Operation Stack."

He said the meeting would investigate how such problems could be eased in future.

"Operation Stack is such an important issue for the people of Kent. We need to have concerted action."