by Graham Tutthill

A cross-Channel ferry operator has had to change the names for its two new ships after being warned they could be breaking the law.

P&O Ferries had been planning to name the two ships Olympic Spirit and Olympic Pride, but have been told that using the word Olympic could be an infringement of rights under English law.

So they will now be called Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France.

They are currently being built at a shipyard in Finland at a cost of more than £330 million, and are due to enter service next year.

Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes will become godmother to the first of the new ships.

At 213 metres long and 49,000 tonnes, the two giant ferries will be the largest ships ever to operate between Dover and Calais, each with a carrying capacity of 180 articulated lorries plus a further 200 cars and 1,750 passengers.