FEARS that Hoverspeed is to scrap its Dover-Calais fast-ferry service have intensified after staff were summoned to urgent talks with bosses.

More than 160 jobs - 102 in Dover/UK, 54 in Calais/France and seven in the rest of Europe, mainly Belgium - would be at risk if Sea Containers, the operator’s parent company, axed the service.

Sea Containers spokesman Steve Lawrence said a decision would be announced by the end of the month.

He said: "All I can do is confirm that Hoverspeed plans to make fundamental changes to its Dover-Calais fast-ferry business.

"As a result, it will start immediately consultations with its permanent staff in the UK and Europe."

In the last quarter of 2004, the company’s ferry operations, including Hoverspeed, made a loss of $16.9 million.