Army of stand-in workers quashes fears of Heathrow chaos

Passengers report shorter queues than usual despite Border Force strike as military brought in to help

Passengers entered Heathrow braced for the sight of queues snaking their way around the airport and departure boards coldly telling them that their festive season was ruined.

With concerns that travel problems could run into the new year as 1,000 Border Force staff began the first of eight days of strikes, those travelling through Europe's busiest airport on the Friday before Christmas were apprehensive.