Kent's police and crime commissioner has called on the Government to reimburse the force for the cost of dealing with Operation Stack.

The system of parking lorries on the M20 has been in place four times over the past three weeks because of delays to Channel crossings.

Now Ann Barnes has written to the transport minister saying it has cost more than £700,000.

At peak times, there have been 112 members Kent Police staff working on the operation every 24 hours.

In the letter, sent to Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin MP, Mrs Barnes said: "Operation Stack is putting immense pressure on the community and the police here in Kent.

"This is drawing several dozen officers away from their policing duties in the county each day.

"It comes at a significant cost on the police budget and the health and wellbeing of our officers, who have been magnificent in rising to this difficult and continuing challenge."

She said Operation Stack was a "persistent and reoccurring problem", with Highways England the lead organisation dealing with the delays.

She urged the minister: "As the person holding departmental responsibility for Highways England, I am asking you to provide a permanent and comprehensive solution which provides full and continuing reimbursement for the taxpayers of Kent."

She claimed the taxpayers in Kent could no longer continue to subsidise a national issue at the expense of local policing.

Mrs Barnes said she was looking forward to hearing from Mr McLoughlin "in due course."