Families are bracing for Christmas getaway chaos amid warnings of record numbers of cars on the roads and staff shortages that could cripple rail lines.

Drivers planning Christmas getaways are being warned to expect long queues because of record traffic levels. The AA predicted that Friday December 20 will be the busiest day on the roads during the festive period, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip.

The M5 has been named as one of the places where drivers planning Christmas getaways are being warned to expect long queues

Christmas travel warning for roads, rail and airports as UK braces for busiest-ever festive getaway - Britain’s roads, railways and airports are facing delays as traveller numbers rise this Christmas