Ferries to France 'proving popular this summer'

Ferries to France are handling increasing passenger numbers as British travellers head to Europe in search of some good summer weather, according to P&O Ferries.

The operator revealed that its ferries to Calais from Dover have regularly been up to five per cent busier this year than in summer 2008.

On the first weekend of the school summer holiday period, P&O Ferries carried 54,000 passengers and 18,000 cars on its Dover to Calais ferry route, an increase of five and six per cent respectively on the previous year.

A spokesman for the ferry operator said: "We've seen a strong reaction to the poor British summer with more people determined to have their holidays abroad come what may.

"Things may be tough at home but the British have a strong attachment to the continental lifestyle and just love hitting the open road in search of the sun instead of dodging the downpours at home."

For people planning to visit Spain this year, P&O Ferries provides a Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry route that offers access to the country's picturesque northern coast.

Written by Andrew Smith