The boss of the company that operates Eurotunnel has reduced his salary by 25% after hundreds of employees were made to work part-time as a result of the coronavirus.

Getlink chief executive Jacques Gounon is said to have decided to take the pay cut "as a measure of solidarity" with staff.

More than 2,300 of the firm's French workers have this month had their hours reduced as part of measures adopted in the wake of the outbreak.

It says it is now working on an equivalent scheme for its British employees.

The French company's board of directors has also not to pay out its dividend for the last financial year to share holders as it looks to preserve its finances.

Despite insisting it would have had enough cash to maintain liquidity, the firm says it decided against paying out €225.5m in order to "ensure the protection of its employees [and] maintain business continuity".

Mr Gounon said: "In this time of Covid-19 crisis, the group has reacted immediately to ensure the protection of its employees and customers, while maintaining the efficiency of operating services at all times.

"The group has taken all necessary steps to maintain financial flexibility and to honour its commitments.

"Getlink's resilience will enable us to overcome these challenges in the most positive way possible and to further strengthen our position when global business returns to normal."

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