Ferry passengers have topped 250,000 in the first week of the summer holidays, the Port of Dover has announced.

More than 60,000 tourist vehicles including cars, camper vans, coaches and motorcycles travelled through the port with 278,000 passengers - including freight.

The summer getaway service has led the way on the cross-Channel route with the port taking more than 55% of the tourist market during the first holiday weekend since schools broke up.

Overall passenger numbers are 3.3% up this year to date at Europe’s busiest ferry port, having also recently seen a record number of freight vehicles depart through the Port earlier this month on July 9.

Shaun Pottage, finance director at the port said: “Ferry passengers are experiencing a quality service, a dedicated team and what is really a mini cruise across the Channel to start their summer holidays.

“We are making great strides towards achieving our commitment to be the best port in the world for the benefit of our customers and community and the volumes of people choosing the Port of Dover illustrates this.”