The government is compiling a database to track and store the international travel records of millions of Britons for up to 10 years.

They argue that the computerised records of all 250 million journeys is essential in the fight against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism but privacy campaigners fear it is a significant step towards a surveillance society.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This is another example of an intrusive database without any public debate about safeguards on its use. We are sleepwalking into a surveillance state and should remember that George Orwell's 1984 was a warning, not a blueprint."