Dover traffic: Police warn of 10-hour delays after French officials 'understaff' border

More British border force workers to be sent in to help clear the backlog

Holidaymakers attempting to leave the UK from Dover are being delayed for up to 10 hours in long queues of traffic.

Officials at the port claimed the delays had been caused by increased security at the French border, which they said had been "insufficiently" staffed.

Traffic jams extended about 12 miles along the A20 and M20.

France's security services have been on high alert because of multiple terrorist attacks, most recently in Nice, where more than 80 people attending Bastille day celebrations were killed.

A spokesperson from the Port of Dover said in a statement: "Basically, ever since the Paris attacks, the French have been on heightened security – it’s much more intensive."

The statement said this was the "biggest weekend" for British tourists heading to the continent and claimed French officials were unprepared.

"[There has been a backlog] the past couple of nights, especially because the French border was insufficiently staffed," it said.

"They didn't have enough booths open. We raised concerns earlier in the week and have raised them again with the [UK] government.

"The government has said they are planning to draft in more UK border force workers."

Details of how many and when have not yet emerged.

One woman with multiple sclerosis was travelling to Germany for stem cell treatment when she was caught up in the chaos.

Tanya Cudworth, 50, had raised £5,000 for the trip to a hospital in Frankfurt that she hopes could change her life.

But because of the delays she missed the morning ferry and had to sleep in her vehicle overnight.

Kent Police have asked motorists to stay in their cars and keep them well ventilated.