As expected, Eurotunnel chiefs have reported a huge drop in vehicles using the cross-Channel service during April as a result of the lockdown and travel restrictions.

Getlink, the firm's parent company, revealed passenger traffic plunged by 91% compared to the same time last year, while freight traffic tumbled by 34%.

With non-essential travel banned through the month, Eurotunnel has focused on ensuring the supply of critical goods between mainland Europe and the UK.

Protective hygiene measures and social distancing have been strictly applied both for staff and customers, in addition to a voluntary reduction in the number of trucks carried on each crossing.

Car and van drivers have been required to remain in their vehicles during the crossing, without coming into direct physical contact with staff or passengers.

A statement from the firm said: "Le Shuttle Freight carried almost 80,000 trucks in April 2020, mainly due to the resilience of demand for food, pharmaceutical and e-commerce goods."

The collapse in traffic numbers means year-on-year comparisons for the first four months of the year saw 2020 record a 39% fall in passenger traffic and 17% fall in freight traffic.

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