Nearly 500,000 people to take ferry crossings this weekend

Ferries to France and other European destinations are expected to prove highly popular over the coming days as British travellers take advantage of the last long weekend of the summer.

Abta - The Travel Association predicted that some 500,000 people will be heading abroad by ferry or Eurotunnel over the August bank holiday break.

Paris and Amsterdam are expected to be among the most popular city break destinations for travellers catching ferries to France and Holland, while Dublin is also set to welcome high numbers of weekend visitors.

This summer has seen the emergence of a "bumper late booking market", with many people deciding at the last minute to go in search of some sun, according to Abta.

John McEwan, the association's chairman, said: "Many families see the bank holiday as their last ditch attempt to get a holiday abroad to get some guaranteed sunshine. This is more true this year than ever.

"Obviously people have been holding onto their money until they are sure they have enough to go away with and as a result we have seen a surge in late bookings."

People planning to visit France can catch ferries to Calais from Dover with P&O Ferries and Seafrance, while those interested in catching some sun in Spain can travel on the Santander ferry route served from Portsmouth and Plymouth by Brittany Ferries.

Written by Mark Robinson