Ferry services were delayed and the roads in and around Dover have today become gridlocked due to industrial action by MyFerryLink in Calais.

It is believed that an MLF vessel effectively blocked the Port of Calais, causing other cross-Channel operators to cancel some of their services.

Brian Rees, press spokesman for P&O, said: "MyFerryLink managed to close the port of Calais for much of today.

"The irony is that the MyFerryLink ships are owned by Eurotunnel, and it is that connection which is the bone of contention for the Competition and Markets Authority.

"Of course in a situation like this we have to look for inter-availability so that our customers are not stranded. The result is MFL close us down and we turn to their owner to take our customers."

The Port of Dover said that the industrial action has now ended.

It said: "Ferry services from the Port of Dover have continued to operate.

"However, with limited operations in Calais, ferry schedules have been subject to some disruption and it will take some time for ferries to resume their normal schedule once they have loaded and returned.

"Crossings to Dunkerque will continue to operate as normal."