THE Freight Transport Association, based in Tunbridge Wells, has called on the French authorities to crack down on strikers.

Services of SeaFrance, the cross-Channel operator, and international road transport companies were disrupted on Thursday by hold-ups at Calais and other ports.

The 24-hour strike would cost business tens of thousands of pounds, the FTA said.

External Affairs director Geoff Dossetter said: "These strikes are now coming at monthly intervals and cause enormous costs and inconvenience to the companies, drivers and deliveries which are held up by recalcitrant Frenchmen.

"As a fellow member of the European Union, France must get a grip on this tiresome and expensive behaviour and act to properly police its ports and allow the free flow of trade and passengers."

The latest action followed recent strikes on December 2 and in mid-October.