People wanting to help truckers stranded on a huge lorry park in near-freezing conditions are being asked to donate to foodbanks rather than go to the site.

Thanet District Council says charities and organisations have already been coordinating deliveries of supplies to drivers at Manston airfield, near Ramsgate.

The authority says it is grateful for all offers of practical support but would encourage people to follow the 'stay at home' message.

Some kind-hearted individuals have been passing items over the fence of the makeshift lorry park and many others have been asking how they can help.

A spokesman for Thanet council, which will not make an official comment on the situation at Manston, says the authority is grateful for all the offers from the Thanet community.

"The use of the Manston facility is being managed by the Department for Transport (DfT)," the council said.

"The DfT is responsible for making sure that provisions have been made for the drivers’ welfare. This includes toilets and shower facilities, water and food on site.

"Charities and organisations in Kent have been working together to coordinate food deliveries to drivers who have been caught up in the disruption caused by the former closure of the French border.

"If you have donations of food we encourage you to either consider our local foodbanks to help support the local communities or contact Kent Together on 03000 41 92 92.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are involved, along with other key partners, in regular Tactical and Strategic Command meetings led by the police.

"Please be assured all agencies are working together to do everything that they can to resolve the situation and we appreciate your patience while we work through some very complex issues.

"As Thanet is in a Tier 4 area, we urge you to continue to follow the Government rules to ‘stay at home’ and for any necessary travel encourage people to make sure they plan ahead."

The use of Manston Airport, which has toilets, water and food on site, for holding lorries is a result of the French border being shut earlier this week.

Hauliers are now able to travel to the continent as long as they have a negative Covid test result.

It it understood more than 2,300 drivers have been tested, with some HGVs having now left Dover for France, but the huge number still waiting means it could be days before the backlog has cleared.

Some 3,800 have been held at Manston, with roads surrounding the former airfield lined with lorries trying to get onto the park where testing can take place.

Military personnel have been supporting testing of drivers, in order to help to get hauliers moving again.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet