The workers cooperative which runs ferry operator MyFerryLink has been given permission from the Court of Appeal to extend its fight against closure or being sold.

The SCOP, which employs about 600 people, is expected to have its latest case heard next month as it tries to overrule a ban handed out from the Competition and Markets Authority.

Last month, an appeal tribunal confirmed a ruling which said MyFerryLink’s owners Eurotunnel must close or sell the Dover to Calais operator before the end of July.

The Channel Tunnel operator appeared to throw in the towel when it put the business up for sale following the ruling.

However the SCOP, which runs the service on behalf of Eurotunnel, has other ideas.

In a statement, MyFerryLink said the decision to grant the appeal “reflects the strength of our arguments”, which centred on legal points about whether the purchase of the operator’s three vessels – which formerly belonged to defunct Seafrance – constituted a merger or an acquisition.

A hearing is likely to take place at the Court of Appeal before Friday, March 13.

It is unclear whether the appeal affects the timetable for selling or winding up MyFerryLink.

Its services continue to operate as normal.

Last month it announced unaudited revenues for 2014 reached €93 million (£71.3m) in its third year of operating, up a quarter on the previous year.

The number of trucks using the carrier last year increased 22% to 399,453, with cars up 7% to 337,654 and coaches up 135% to 265.