British tourists will be able to travel visa free in Europe this summer even if there is a no deal Brexit, EU leaders agreed today.

It will be possible to travel to and around the EU for up to three months without a visa.

Despite the move, Brussels risked a row when the draft regulation on visa free travel referred to Gibraltar as a British 'colony' - language slapped down by No 10.

Spain is continuing to use the Brexit process to press its claim to reclaim The Rock, a British territory on its south coast.

The decision is a major step forward for people who faced uncertainty over holiday bookings amid chaos in Parliament on the Brexit deal.

With just 56 days to go there was no agreement on how - or even whether - people would be able to enter Europe once Britain leaves the EU.

Britain has already made a similar commitment for EU travellers wishing to visit the UK after Brexit happens on March 29.

British tourists will be able to travel visa free in Europe this summer even if there is a no deal Brexit, EU leaders agreed today (pictured is the Eurostar at St Pancras International)

Despite the move, Brussels risked a row when the draft regulation on visa free travel referred to Gibraltar as a British 'colony' - language slapped down by No 10

A European Parliament committee backed visa free travel earlier this week and the decision was signed off by EU ambassadors today.

EU visa exemptions cover short trips of up to three months and currently some 60 countries in the world, from Argentina to Japan to Ukraine, benefit from the system.

The visa waiver is designed for business and tourism and does not grant the right to work in the EU.

A statement issued by the Council of the EU said: 'Ambassadors mandated the Council Presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament on this legislative proposal.

'According to EU rules, visa exemption is granted on condition of reciprocity.

'The government of the United Kingdom has stated that it does not intend to require a visa from EU citizens travelling to the UK for short stays.

'In the event that the United Kingdom introduces a visa requirement for nationals of at least one member state in the future, the existing reciprocity mechanism would apply and the three institutions and the member states would commit to act without delay in applying the mechanism.'

Brexit supporter Michael Fabricant welcomed the news, tweeting: 'As I said last year, tranche after tranche of EU legislation will mean that if there is a No Deal Brexit, it will not be the disaster that Remainers like to predict.

'The EU would be hurt as much - if not more- if there were a breakdown between the UK and EU after Brexit.'

Parallel talks among EU states on letting Britons visit without visas following a no-deal Brexit were delayed last week, diplomatic sources said, after Spain raised objections over Gibraltar, a British territory to which Madrid lays claim.

Brexit supporter Michael Fabricant welcomed the news as a signal pragmatism would avoid a 'disaster' in the event of no deal

Spanish diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that Madrid would insist on excluding Gibraltar from any Brexit deal, as it plans to revive its bid for shared sovereignty over the rocky outpost.

In other developments on post-Brexit travels, British Airways boss Willie Walsh said today that leaving the EU would not impact passenger numbers.

He said: 'I remain ... confident that we will see a comprehensive agreement between the UK and the EU on aviation.

'I've seen nothing to suggest that confidence is misplaced.'