border delays across Europe when a new EU entry system is introduced this autumn, experts warned yesterday. Britons with even the most trivial offences, including motoring convictions such as speeding, will face questioning and delays because they are never wiped from records.

, which will delve into a person's past, could lead to long waits and even refusal of entry over wrongdoing that could be decades old and minor. Europe will introduce an electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) in October, with a new linked visa (ETIAS), similar to that used in the US and Canada, coming next year.

Experts say millions of Britons could be stopped because of the unique way this country keeps records of very lowly offences. In England and Wales when a person commits any offence a record is kept for 100 years from that person's date of birth. No distinction is made between keeping a record of minor or serious violations.

It is estimated around 15 million people in the UK have a criminal record, with the vast majority logged for a lesser transgression. Even those who have no criminal record could be caught up in the chaos as others are questioned and delayed.

Many EU countries automatically wipe records for minor offences after as little as three years and some do not even keep data on file, preferring to simply issue fines. Last night travel agents and holiday firms warned the changes could hit travellers hard.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of independent travel agent group The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: "It is essential for all airports and airlines to do all they can to ensure consumer confidence to travel remains high and keep any disruption to a minimum. The potential for long delays will cause anxiety to travellers."

She advised tourists to prepare for longer waits, use e-gates where possible and check airport websites before travelling to spot hold-ups.

Jessie Moore, director of luxury travel firm , said: "This summer's shaping up to be a little chaotic. From the new EES to predicted air traffic control delays, British travellers are facing a summer of queues, glitches and the odd headache."

Seth Cox, editor-in-chief of the law , said: "UK travellers will certainly be more vulnerable than other EU countries to travel restrictions and breaches of privacy at borders causing humiliation.

"Whereas other countries have more clearly defined and distinct categories of offences, for example what constitutes defin cate offe ple minor offences, and treats them differently in terms of recording on criminal records, our country has no clear distinction.

"And it makes no clear concessions, meaning we are more likely to get pulled up on more minor offences, and pulled up on them for longer, when crossing borders.

Safeguards "Even 50 years after someone may have shoplifted or caused minor criminal damage in their 20s, they will be questioned about it."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "I'm deeply concerned by the prospect that British citizens might be unfairly disadvantaged.

"The Government needs to urgently clarify how this will work in practice and what safeguards will be put in place to avoid unfair discrimination against British citizens. It would not be fair for UK citizens to be targeted for very minor historic matters when European citizens visiting the UK are not."

EU Today columnist Chris White said: "If EU officials at a border post can see that somebody scrumped some apples when they were young or stole a pint glass as a student then they will note the person has got what they will see as a criminal record, even though if a person committed the same 'offence' in Europe they would likely have no record."

The ETIAS system will be similar to that used by the US and Canada. Both can refuse entry for minor offences, even if committed 50 years prior. ETIAS will also apply to travellers departing from ports such as Dover, as it is a point of entry into the EU for non-EU citizens.

A statement on the ETIAS website says the European model is still being "fine-tuned" but that it will "delve into more personal information regarding an applicant's health status and any criminal history". It adds "it has not yet been finalised as to how in-depth the application form will be" but that it will "certainly involve past convictions".

The European Commission states the new checks are designed to protect the bloc from criminality as well as terrorism. It said minor offences were not included on the list of crimes travellers were expected to voluntarily declare for the EES. But it said the ETIAS would ask travellers to provide details about any criminal convictions.

The Home Office said: "We do not comment on operational security matters."