An amber traffic warning has been issued ahead of a bumper bank holiday weekend.

The warning, issued by the AA, comes as the motoring association predicts nearly 15million car journeys to be made over the weekend.

They say they expect traffic to build on Friday before reaching a peak between 10am and 4pm on Saturday as families embark on “one last hurrah” before schools return in September.

The AA estimates that 45 per cent of drivers will make at least one car journey during the long weekend, either on holiday or days out – which equates to nearly 15 million leisure trips.

Last year, the AA attended nearly 40,000 breakdowns over the August bank holiday weekend.

Sean Sidley, from AA Patrol of the Year, said: “This year we are predicting up to 15 million journeys will be made over the August bank holiday, as families make the most of the warm weather and have a last hurrah before the new school year.

“Routes to and from coastal resorts and beauty spots will be among the busiest, so drivers should plan ahead for the journey and check your car before you go.”

The first traffic warnings were issued in July 2022 following record traffic at ports on the South Coast of England to alert drivers to the severity of congestion.