Ferry fares

FOR those wanting to cross the Channel for Christmas shopping, P&O European Ferries (0304 203388) offers a range of day-return fares for the Dover to Calais route: a Popover ticket for foot passengers costs pounds 10; a Motorover ticket for a car plus five passengers pounds 69; a Family Fare for two adult and two child foot passengers pounds 30.

On its Portsmouth to Cherbourg route a Cruiseaway fare costs pounds 25 per adult, pounds 19 per child, pounds 29 per car. Prices include a night's cabin accommodation. On the Portsmouth to Le Havre route, Sea Cruise foot passenger fares are pounds 10 for adults, pounds 8 for children.

On the Felixstowe to Zeebrugge service, a pounds 10 Escapade for foot passengers allows a three-hour stay in Belgium; a pounds 15 Moonlight crossing going overnight allows a day in Bruges.