P&O Ferries looking for 'local heroes'

P&O Ferries has launched a new online offer encouraging members of the public to nominate a 'local hero' who deserves a free holiday.

The initiative is intended to reward a community-spirited individual in any walk of life or profession - from nurses and teachers to doctors and policemen - who gives up a lot of time to help others.

An overall winner will be chosen from the nominations and, along with their family, will be provided with a free trip to France on P&O Ferries' Dover to Calais ferry route.

The operator will also arrange for the winning family to stay at the Residence MGM Houlgate resort in Normandy.

According to an article on the P&O Ferries blog, the local hero campaign is part of the company's "unwritten mission" - to get as many people as possible to take a holiday.

Earlier this year, the ferry operator launched a promotional initiative with the slogan 'you deserve a holiday', which was designed to encourage British consumers to escape from the economic gloom by taking an overseas break.

In addition to its Dover to Calais ferry service, P&O Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in Spain and offers ferries to Dublin from Liverpool.

Written by Mark Robinson