EUROSTAR, the cross-Channel rail operator, is to cancel services this week because of industrial action in France.

Six services have been cancelled for Thursday and other trains may also be affected by disruption. People have been advised not to travel.

In a statement the company said services on Friday will also be affected by strike action, Eurostar said.

Extra trains are still being laid on for people heading to Saturday's Rugby World Cup final in Paris, when 25,000 people are expected to travel.

A spokeswoman said 40 per cent more passengers would use the cross-Channel rail service between midday on Thursday and Saturday afternoon, compared with the same time last year.

About 24,000 will travel back from France to the UK on Sunday and Monday, she added.

Industrial action is being taken by public sector workers in France on Thursday,

Five services between London and Paris have been cancelled on Thursday, and also one from London to Brussels.

No Eurostar services will call at Calais that day, and there is a reduced service to Lille Europe station.

The rail company said there would be no services on the Paris urban transport network, including the Metro, on Thursday and "very limited" TGV services on the French high-speed network.

The company said: "Eurostar is therefore advising all travellers not to travel if at all possible."

On Friday, four Eurostar services are cancelled, one from Paris to London, and the others between London and Brussels.

Eurostar passengers will be able to exchange their tickets.