A British petition, calling on the government there to revoke the Brexit process, has exceeded three million signatures.

Under the title "Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU", the petition says: "The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is 'the will of the people'.

"We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU.

"A people's vote may not happen - so vote now."

The House of Commons petition was set up by Margaret Anne Georgiadou.

It will run for six months, as do all petitions set up on the platform.

But under its own rules, the British parliament has to consider all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.

However, only British citizens or UK residents have the right to sign them.

The petition was so popular that it crashed the website several times on Thursday.

In response, the Petitions Committee said: "The rate of signing is the highest the site has ever had to deal with and we have had to make some changes to ensure the site remains stable and open for signatures and new petitions".

The rate of signing is the highest the site has ever had to deal with and we have had to make some changes to ensure the site remains stable and open for signatures and new petitions. Thanks for bearing with us.

— Petitions Committee (@HoCpetitions) March 21, 2019

But to reduce demand on the site, the committee has said signature counts "will not update automatically".

"Signatures are still being recorded. For the time being, the count will update every half hour or so", it added.

To reduce demand on the site, signature counts will not update automatically. Signatures are still being recorded. For the time being, the count will update every half hour or so.

— Petitions Committee (@HoCpetitions) March 22, 2019