Ferry firm P&O saw turnover in excess of £1billion for 2017, its latest financial figures have revealed.

But a weaker pound saw its profits drop compared to last year.

The firm, which operates the popular Dover to Calais route as well as a host of North Sea and Irish Sea crossings, saw its growth driven by its freight services and logistics arm Ferrymasters.

Revenues increased from last year's £973m to £1.04bn. Profit after tax stood at £39.9m, down from £47.1m in 2016.

The report said: " It was another year of growth for the group with revenue increasing in short sea, North Sea and Irish Sea sectors and in Ferrymasters.

"Increases in operating costs driven by rising fuel prices and a weaker pound resulted in lower operating profit and profit after tax than 2016 for the ferries business, but Ferrymasters focus on higher margin business and cost control delivered a significant increase in its operating profit and profit after tax year on year.

"Ferries' freight business and Ferrymasters were the main drivers of the group's revenue growth in 2017 as freight volumes continue to grow.

"Tourist care volumes improved, but the tourist business suffered from a volume contraction in the coach market which had a detrimental effect on total tourist passenger numbers.

"Focus on improving tourist yield did, however, mitigate the loss of passenger volumes."

It described its cross-Channel services as "broadly static" but it did gain market share in the freight and car markets.

It added: "Customer regained confidence in Calais as an entry point due to both a material reduction in migrant activity the market endured during 2016 and a stabilisation of the post Brexit pound/euro rate."

Sail to France from £3 with P&O - pick up your KM paper this week for details.