Transport minister Andrew Jones has said Ebbsfleet International Station could be used to house HGVs in Operation Stack 'within days'.

Space at the station car park has been put forward as a proposal to ease congestion on the M20 as Operation Stack moves into its fourth day.

During a meeting at County Hall in Maidstone today Mr Jones said: "We need to get some kind of holding area off the highways. 

"The key point is to keep the M20 open for two-way flow.

"We're looking at opening up Ebbsfleet for immediate effect. By immediate effect I mean within a couple of days."

News Shopper:

Operation Stack continues. (.c) PA Wire.

The proposal comes as David Cameron warned the Calais migrant crisis is set to last all summer.

Speaking in Downing Street after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, the Prime Minister said the situation was "unacceptable".

He added: "This is going to be a difficult issue right across the summer."

Operation Stack, which turns the M20 into a giant lorry park as a result of chaos on the other side of the Channel, has hit tourists, businesses and lorry drivers.

Mr Cameron said no action would be ruled out as he announced that extra sniffer dogs and fencing will be sent to France and Ministry of Defence land will be used to ease congestion to try to help deal with the crisis.

Earlier today in Dartford a group of 16 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested after being sighted running from the back of a lorry.