A P&O ship has finally left Dover - nearly six weeks after the firm fired hundreds of workers.

The Spirit of Britain sailed from Dover to Calais yesterday and today in what are believed to be trial runs.

The company tweeted this morning that services for passengers were still suspended.

It's the first time any P&O ship has crossed the Channel in nearly six weeks, since the mass sacking of almost 800 staff on March 17.

Spirit of Britain is the first in the company's Dover to Calais fleet to have passed safety tests by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Pride of Kent failed twice and is still detained until it can pass.

The Spirit of Britain's first sailing was at 12.35pm yesterday from Dover, returning there from Calais several hours later.

The ship, which could be traced via a vessel tracking app, sailed again to France early this morning and is expected back in Dover before midday.

Sailings for freight are expected to begin tomorrow and those for passengers will happen from next week

The original sackings of exactly786 staff, who were replaced by cheaper agency staff, caused national outrage.

A fifth demonstration against this, organised by trade unions, took place in Dover last Tuesday and there has also been widespread condemnation from politicians,