The decision by the French government to temporarily close its border to traffic from the UK could be a partial ploy to increase pressure on Britain to make a trade deal ahead of Brexit, Godalming's MP has said.

On Sunday evening, France shut its border with the UK for 48 hours, meaning no lorries or ferries will be able to sail from the port of Dover.

The Eurotunnel has also been shut, with a spokesman telling BBC News he hoped travel from the UK to France could begin on Wednesday or Thursday.

Among the 30 countries to impose a ban on UK arrivals are Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Russia and Switzerland.

Jeremy Hunt said the new strain of Covid, which is 70% more infectious than the original strain, had "caused alarm amongst our Euroepan neighbours".

"This strain is far more prevalent here in the UK than anywhere else in the world, so it is understandable that they would want to avoid the new strain entering into their shores but I won't be the only one wondering if it is also partly designed to increase pressure on us ahead of the Brexit deadline because a deal has yet to be agreed," he wrote in his regular constituency newsletter today.

"For the first time since the war the Anglo-French border has been shut to not just passengers but also freight. We are expecting these restrictions to remain in place for 48 hours while the bloc co-ordinates an EU wide approach to the situation which is likely to involve a travel ban until at least the new year.

"Hopefully though freight and goods will be able to start moving again from Wednesday and so please avoid panic buying which will only create shortages for people who may genuinely need things."

The French government said on Monday it would establish a protocol "to ensure movement from the UK can resume," the BBC reported.