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Stella Artois, cucumbers and Heinz Baked Beans passed to stranded drivers in Manston

More people have come out to help the drivers stranded on the runway at Manston.

While lorries have started to leave the site today as a huge testing scheme begins, there is still a massive backlog to clear.

Food is delivered to the drivers being held at Manston airport..Picture: Barry Goodwin
Food is delivered to the drivers being held at Manston airport..Picture: Barry Goodwin

Drivers stuck at the site waiting for instruction have been given food, drinks and bottles of Stella Artois to keep them going.

Cucumbers were slotted through the wire, boxes of beer handed and bread launched over the top of the fences and bottles of water forced under.

Men, women and children turned up to help bring essential supplies to the drivers, many of whom have been stuck there for a few days since the travel ban was first brought in.

The young and the very young have turned up with supplies. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The young and the very young have turned up with supplies. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Cans of baked beans are handed over the fence. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Cans of baked beans are handed over the fence. Picture: Barry Goodwin
All of the 'essentials' made it in to the airfield. Picture: Barry Goodwin
All of the 'essentials' made it in to the airfield. Picture: Barry Goodwin

These are not the first locals to offer support for the drivers during the chaos.

The community in Dover rallied to help, including the Salvation Army. Gravesend Gurdwara answered calls to feed people queuing on the M20 yesterday by making 800 curries.

And a team from Ramsgate Football Club made and delivered hundreds of pizzas to the same hungry drivers in Manston last night.

Food is delivered to the drivers being held at Manston airport..Picture: Barry Goodwin. (43710153)
Food is delivered to the drivers being held at Manston airport..Picture: Barry Goodwin. (43710153)
Bread making it's way over the fence.Picture: Barry Goodwin.
Bread making it's way over the fence.Picture: Barry Goodwin.
Tiny fingers helping get water to the hauliers. Picture: Barry Goodwin.
Tiny fingers helping get water to the hauliers. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

After days of disruption on Kent's roads, the travel ban was lifted last night there was hope that things could start to get back to normal.

However, after police clashed with drivers in Dover and the port was blocked for those heading down from Manston with negative tests - the chaos continued.

This evening, Operation Stack has come in to force on the London bound carriageway of the M20. Manston is full to capacity and Operation Brock and Stack on the coast-bound M20 was not enough to hold the thousands of lorries in Kent.

The message from officials is still "don't come to Kent".

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