Holidaymakers embarking on a trip to Europe on the first day of the Easter holiday are facing waits of up to two hours.

The Port of Dover says inclement weather and high overnight winds reaching up to 70mph are to blame.

Those making the crossing by ferry to Dunkirk or Calais were told on Tuesday to expect long waits over the weekend.

Port of Dover CEO Dough Bannister said traffic is moving “a little bit slow on the approaches” but his teams are “processing everybody through quite smoothly”.

Explaining the busiest tourist peak is between 6am and noon, he said it should take people about two hours to get through border controls.

"Brock has been deployed but it's not active, it is free-flowing through Brock at the moment," he said.

"That is used for the HGVs whereas the tourists just come however they come, probably in equal numbers by the A2, A20 and M20."

Asked if there are increased security checks following the Moscow terror attack during an interview with Sky, he said: "We haven't seen any impact that increased security measures for the processing of the Port of Dover."

He said the port has been planning its staffing levels and other logistics before Christmas.

"Typically that would mean we bring in temporary staff from other places in the port to help guide passengers through the port as best as possible.”

It was anticipated people crossing the Channel will face longer wait times due to tighter security checks following the Moscow concert attack.

Port of Dover Travel announced on X early this morning: “The wait time from arrival at the port entrance/buffer zone is around 90 minutes.

“French Border Controls are flowing well, with the additional wait times early this morning due to adverse weather conditions last night.”

Wind gusts of up to 40mph continue to whip through The Channel after a yellow weather warning was issued for the majority of Kent yesterday.

Last night strong winds battered the Kent coast, Dunkirk and Calais, ahead of the Easter weekend.

A Kent County Council spokesman warned motorists early yesterday evening: “As Easter holiday approaches, Operation Brock is in place on the M20 to manage the flow of traffic.

“Anyone planning to use Le Shuttle and the Port of Dover are advised to plan their journeys and check with the travel operator before setting out.”

Traffic specialists Inrix warns M20 coastbound traffic heading for the channel crossing must go through the coned from Junction 8, Leeds Castle / Maidstone Services to J9, Ashford.

It warns there are delays before Junction 8, where the slip road is also closed to all traffic.

All other traffic not heading for a channel crossing, or local East Kent freight must use the contraflow on the other side.