French fishermen strike brings holiday chaos

Thousands of British holidaymakers are facing major disruptions as they try to board ferries in the south of England today as French fisherman stage a blockade over the price of fuel.

Thousands of British holidaymakers are facing major disruptions as they try to board ferries in the south of England today as French fisherman stage a blockade over the price of fuel.

Dover and Portsmouth were worst hit by the protests but most southern ports face some delays.

Many ferries have been delayed, diverted or cancelled.

P&O was holding one passenger ferry at Dover as it attempted to sail another into Calais.

SeaFrance meanwhile cancelled its 8.15am crossing to Calais while urging its day-trip customers not to travel until the protests had finished.

The action has left tourists returning to the UK from the Continent stranded or facing longer journeys.

At Portsmouth, P&O's Pride of Cherbourg, Pride of Hampshire and the firm's Superstar Express ship were at anchor, unable to travel to Cherbourg.

Port officials said delays to passenger traffic were among the worst for some time.

At Dover, SeaFrance, P&O, Hoverspeed and Norfolk Line were all urging customers to call before travelling.