French strikes cause travel chaos

Flybe cancelled its route from Southampton to Toulouse

Travellers in the south face severe disruption on Tuesday as strikes ground planes and halt cross-channel ferries to and from France.

The French public sector strike, which began on Monday night, has forced budget airline Flybe to ground Tuesday's flight from Southampton to Toulouse.

Two of Air France's three trips to Paris are also cancelled.

P&O Ferries was forced to cancel one of its Portsmouth to Cherbourg sailings, with passengers being moved on to the Portsmouth-Le Havre route.

The firm was able to operate sailings up to 0700 BST before a walkout by French dockers halted sailings.

The disruptions are expected to last until 2200 BST Tuesday.

The Foreign Office warned the strike, by several trade unions, was "likely to cause severe disruption throughout the transport sector".

It advised people to check with travel agents before travelling.

The strike is part of a continuing protest by French workers over proposed pension reforms.

Overall about 80% of flights to and from France will be cancelled by the action of air traffic controllers.