130 jobs go in SeaFrance collapse

Almost 130 jobs are to be lost in the UK after French ferry operator SeaFrance went into liquidation today.

Office workers, check-in staff and those who helped passengers board the company's ships on the Dover to Calais route will be made redundant as a result of today's grim news.

The workers are all based in Dover, Kent, where SeaFrance's three ferries used to operate until they stopped running in November because of the firm's financial problems.

A French court ordered the liquidation of the loss-making ferry operator today after a plan by SeaFrance's employees to save the firm by setting up a worker co-operative was rejected.

A spokeswoman for the company said UK customers with bookings will receive refunds.

Hundreds of jobs are being lost in France as a result of the firm going out of business.

PA