by Trevor Sturgess, business editor

SeaFrance - the ferry giant which employs hundreds of workers in Kent - has gone into liquidation.

The decision by a French court follows months of wranglings and failed buyout bids for the stricken firm.

Only today, Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel launched a last-minute rescue bid for the ailing business.

Eurotunnel proposed to buy the three SeaFrance ferries - now moored in the Port of Calais - and lease them back to a workers' co-operative.

But the bid was rejected today.

SeaFrance employs more than 800 staff in Calais and Dover and maintains a French-owned ferry operation on the busy short-sea route.

Anyone wanting to claim back ticket costs should ring 0845 4580666.