One local authority has announced it will boycott P&O Ferries.

Dover Town Council is the latest in a long line of groups to attack the company following the sudden sacking of nearly 800 staff on March 17.

A statement by the council, put up on its website last Friday, said: "We pledge not to use P&O Ferries to show our support for the dismissed employees until that company reverts to proper employment practices."

It said it was "shocked and alarmed", like the rest of Dover, at the dismissals with staff immediately replaced by cheap labour.

The statement added: " The impact on both the company’s employees and our whole community cannot be overstated.

"The headquarters of P&O and its fleet of cross-Channel ferries are everyday sights in the town and many local jobs and, therefore, households have been supported directly and indirectly by the ferry services from our port.

"The way in which the news was broken to the employees has been unfair and inhuman – every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in such a difficult situation. We empathise with and pledge our support to all those households which now face an uncertain and difficult future.

"The dreadful lack of respect for British workers shown by the owners and management of P&O Ferries is compounded by their proposed exploitation of offshore replacement crew, all of whom will receive lower wages and fewer benefits and protections. This is unacceptable exploitation."

Meanwhile Green Party councillors in Dover district co-signed an open protest letter with colleagues in other Kent councils, from county to parish level.

It said: "Kent Greens are appalled by the callous behaviour of P&0 Ferries.

"Many workers have been with the company for up to 40 years and to be made redundant by video message is cold-hearted and reflects the company's complete lack of respect for workers' rights and lack of empathy for its employees.

"The impact of these dismissals will be felt across the East Kent community and will be hugely damaging for our local economy and local living standards."

The signatories include the 10 Green town and parish councillors from Deal, Dover, Walmer and Kingsdown and Ringwould.

Penelope James, chairman of Dover and Deal Liberal Democrats, said: “The action by P&O is a direct attack on workers’ rights and is reprehensible.

"The Government must step in urgently, help reduce tensions and bring people back to the table. If P&O cannot manage this, then the government needs to consider how a more responsible owner can be brought in.

Dover constituency Labour Party had also condemned the action as "disgraceful"

A statement from it said: "We stand in solidarity with workers unions to work for a solution."

The sackings also provoked a furious response from the Government.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps calling on P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite to resign after he admitted that trade unions had not been consulted.

Protests among trade unions and townspeople continue with a fourth march against the dismissals on Saturday.

Dover and Deal Conservtive MP Natslie Elphicked joined the second protest, on March 18.and had earlier said the company's behaviour was "shabby and disgraceful."

P&O's Dover to Calais services have been suspended since the sackings and remain so today (Monday).

The company has said the cancellations meant the company lost £1 million per day.

P&O Ferries has said it had to take the action to safe the company as it was continually losing money.

It said all crew working at the time of the announcement were told face to face and efforts were made to contact those off duty.

It said virtual meetings were also held but only 261 of the 800 were on those calls.