The Pride of Dover cross-Channel ferry is to make its last crossing on the Dover-Calais route after more than 20 years’ service.

Staff at P&O Ferries will mark the end of an era when the ship makes its final return sailing from Dover at 11.55pm on Wednesday, December 15.

Among the crew will be members of staff who collected the ship from Bremerhaven, Germany, when it was launched in 1986.

They include operations manager Nigel Davies and customer services manager Simon Johnston.

"The Pride of Dover is one of the most successful cross-Channel ferries ever and has carried getting on for 35 million passengers in her time," said Mr Davies. "We’ve all got some great memories of working on her but now we’re looking to the future and the exciting arrival of our new ships next year."

In January the Spirit of Britain will enter service on the Dover-Calais route, replacing the Pride of Dover.