Thousands of international lorry drivers look set to spend Christmas Day cooped up in their cabs at the English Channel border as slow progress was made to return hauliers home to their loved ones.
Britain's transport minister Grant Shapps said hundreds of soldiers would be deployed to help the repatriation operation in Kent after French coronavirus restrictions introduced following the discovery of a fast-spreading mutant Covid-19 strain in the UK caused severe disruption at the Port of Dover.
Around 700 hauliers have been cleared for departure since the borders reopened on Wednesday - and a chorus of beeping horns sounded at the Port of Dover on Christmas Eve as those at the front of the queue celebrated finally being able to leave.