Strikes - latest: Christmas travel chaos warned as motorway and rail walkouts loom

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Passengers set to face 'two-hour queues' at Gatwick amid strikes, says airport boss

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A severe traffic warning has been issued for drivers, Border Force officials are on strike and a union has warned of a "huge escalation" in walkouts next year as millions embark on Christmas getaway trips.

The RAC, which expects 7.9 million leisure trips to be made across the UK Friday and Christmas Eve combined, issued the alert for a section of the M25.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "We expect to see long delays on some parts of the M25 today, as the Christmas getaway and weekend traffic combine.

"We advise drivers, if possible, to avoid these roads at this time or delay their journeys until 7 p.m. tonight, when traffic is expected to be lighter."

Over a quarter of a million passengers arr People on thousands of flights to the UK today have been warned of delays due to strikes by Border Force staff.

The walkout will affect travelers at Heathrow, Birmingham, Cardiff, Gatw ick, Glasgow and Manchester airports, and the port of Newhaven in East Sussex.

Striking Border Force staff will be joined by workers from the National Highways, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA) and the Royal Mail.