SpeedFerries is adding extra sailings to its Dover-Boulogne service to cope with demand following the Channel Tunnel fire.

The company, which operates a high-speed catamaran, will be running more evening services on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, from October 3 to November 3.

This will increase capacity by 20 per cent.

"This is in response to the surge in demand experienced since the fire at Eurotunnel on September 11," said chief executive Curt Stavis.

"The demand now exceeds availability on current sailings."

Mr Stavis says he hopes passengers will become aware of the benefits offered by SpeedFerries, with a crossing time of 50 minutes to the popular town of Boulogne.