Passengers were left stranded in Calais after all P&O Ferries services were cancelled ahead of making all staff redundant.

The company posted on its Twitter account this morning apologising to passengers for the disruption.

Picture: LKJ Media

It reads: "Regretfully, P&O Ferries services are unable to run for the next few hours. Our Port Teams will guide you and travel will be arranged via an alternative operator.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this will have on your journey plans."

In response to liquidation rumours a spokesperson said: “P&O Ferries is not going into liquidation.

"We have asked all ships to come alongside, in preparation for a company announcement. Until then, services from P&O will not be running and we are advising travellers of alternative arrangements.”

At around 11am this morning the company told crew members it was making everyone redundant after losing hundreds of millions of pounds in recent years.

Routes between Cairnryan and Larne, Hull and Rotterdam and Liverpool and Dublin have also been affected.

The seemingly last minute decision has left many people stranded in France and Dover TAP has been activated on the A20 at Aycliffe due to the heavy freight volumes this morning.

One woman said: "But who is going to let us know and when please? We were meant to be on the 6:30 ferry, sat here since 5:30 and not one person has explained anything?"

Another said "sitting in Calais very angry".

More recent tweets suggest DFDS is picking up those left without a way of crossing the Channel.

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke has confirmed she is speaking with the CEO of P&O and the national secretary of the RMT today.

This evening, P&O Ferries was advising anyone with bookings who wanted a refund to call tomorrow on 01304 448877 or send an email to customer.services@poferries.com.

For our guide on what to do if you are caught up in the disruption, click here.