Ferry company P&O has blamed the attraction of Britain as a holiday destination for an 11 per cent fall in passengers numbers on its Dover – Calais route.

It said that UK tour companies have been staying at home and revealed that coach bookings on the route are down 7 per cent so far this year. However, the group has also reported fewer people travelling abroad as a result of both the war in Iraq and a downturn in the travel market generally.

Ferry services across the North Sea and Western Channel also saw fewer passengers – down 12 and 9 per cent respectively – although the Irish Sea routes experienced an increase in numbers, up 15 per cent. Details: www.poferries.com