The government and trade groups have warned of "serious disruption" after France blocked arrivals of UK passengers for 48 hours over concerns about the new coronavirus variant.

The government and trade groups have warned of "serious disruption" after France blocked arrivals of UK passengers for 48 hours over concerns about the new coronavirus variant.

Freight lorries cannot cross by sea or through the Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover has closed to outbound traffic.

About 10,000 lorries a day travel between Dover and Calais during peak periods such as Christmas.

UK ministers will discuss the move at a Cobra emergency committee on Monday.

On Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged the public and hauliers not to travel to ports in Kent, saying "significant disruption" was likely in the area.

Kent Police have mobilised Operation Stack - a system to park lorries on the M20 motorway in Kent at times of disruption - to deal with the build-up of traffic.