French dockers' strike hits ferries

Ferries have been diverted to Zeebrugge

Ferry services between Dover and Calais have been suspended following a 24-hour walkout by French dockers.

The three companies using the harbour, P&O Stena Line, Hoverspeed and Sea France, had to make alternative plans for hundreds of passengers after members of the CGT trade union went on strike at 1400GMT on Tuesday.

Passengers travelling by car are being transferred to Eurotunnel services.

The dockers are responding to a call for protests from the International Dock Workers Council (IDC), which is opposed to European Union plans to deregulate cargo handling.

The IDC claims the proposals are aimed at removing organised labour from the docks.

Luckily it is not a particularly busy time so we do not think it will be too big a problem

Sea France

Sea France, which operates 15 return crossings a day between Dover and Calais, will offer full ticket refunds.

But P&O Stena Line passengers will have to change the date of their tickets.

Both companies diverted freight crossings to Zeebrugge.

A Sea France spokeswoman said: "We have been transferring people where possible.

"Luckily it is not a particularly busy time so we do not think it will be too big a problem," she added.

A Calais Chamber of Commerce spokesman said services were expected to return to normal at 1400GMT on Wednesday.