Ferries from Dover to France are set for major disruption due to strike action.

Operators DFDS and P&O Ferries have been forced to cancel a number of crossings tomorrow due to industrial action across the Channel.

The strikes are due to take place in Calais, causing severe disruption in the port between 8am and 5pm.

Due to this, P&O Ferries have announced that there will only be eight ferries each way between Dover and Calais.

There will be two departures at 3.10am and 5am, before an eight-hour break until 1.40pm, and another at 3.10pm before departures resume at every one hour 30 minutes from 5.25pm.

Similarly, DFDS has warned that its services between Dover and Calais will be disrupted, while the only departure from Sheerness to Calais has been cancelled.

A spokesperson added that the company's ferries to and from Dunkerque will be unaffected by the strikes, but that the company would not be able to "honour time specific bookings".

"Due to National industrial action in France, on Thursday 19 January between 0800-1700, there will be severe disruptions in the Port of Calais, which we understand will affect all operators," they said.

"This action will also cause disruption for the delivery and collection of unaccompanied trailers, for 24 hours, as there will be no access to the Unaccompanied Trailer Park.

"Please be assured that ALL departures between Dover and Dunkerque will be unaffected by the industrial action and will operate its normal schedule in order to support our valued customers.

"Please note that during the disruption we will be unable honour time specific bookings, and we will ship all traffic on a first come first served basis.

"Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused and be assured that we will continue to provide you with regular updates throughout the day."

P&O Ferries said: “We have received information of a National Day of Action in France planned to last over a 24-hour period, starting on the 19th January 2023.

“It is expected that this action will affect multiple outlets and services throughout France.”

The company added: “Due to the lack of details, we cannot anticipate the level of disruption this will have to our optimised schedule, and it is possible that our wider operations could be affected throughout the day.

“Please be assured that we will attempt to limit this disruption wherever possible however, if your journey is not essential, we do advise that you rearrange your travel to an alternative date.”