CROSS-Channel ferry operators who are calling for a crackdown on what they describe as "misleading pricing" by airlines have won a powerful ally to their cause.

The Sail and Drive campaign has been launched by nine of the UK's leading ferry operators, including P&O Ferries, Hoverspeed and SeaFrance.

They want all travel websites to feature clear pricing, inclusive of all taxes and charges. They believe this could be a major blow for no-frills airlines.

Following a meeting on July 14 at the House of Commons, Austin Mitchell MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards, agreed to write to the Office of Fair Trading, urging the organisation to crack down on misleading pricing by airlines on their websites.

The full cost to a passenger is usually not advertised until well into the booking process.