Border disruption in numbers

More than 25,000 Covid tests were carried and some 14,000 lorries were moved on as part of a mammoth challenge to get HGV drivers out of the country over Christmas.

Statistics revealed by Kent Police show how agencies worked together to solve the mayhem.

Police forces including Hampshire, Leicestershire and West Mercia were called in to help, and countless kind-hearted people and businesses donated food for Kent County Council to dish out to stranded truckers.

In total, about 8,400 hot meals were handed out.

After it was decided that only those with a negative Covid test could cross the Channel, mass testing was introduced and run by the Army.

Police figures reveal that 14,659 HGVs were subsequently transported across to France as a result of the testing, with more than 25,000 tests being administered.