French ferry strike leaves hundreds of British tourists stranded

Stock photo, Brittany Ferries: Rex

A ferry strike in France has left around 500 British tourists stranded just as they were about to board a boat to back to the UK.

Brittany Ferries was forced to cancel Thursday afternoon's service from Roscoff to Plymouth after the crew of the Armorique walked out in protest against pay cuts and increased working hours.

The changes have been discussed as the company is facing a £56 million deficit.

And, in spite of planned talks later this month about the proposed plans to increase working hours by 25% and impose pay cuts, the crew called a 24-hour strike - just as passengers were about to board.

According to the Telegraph, Brittany Ferries was making arrangements for passengers to return home on the Caen to Portsmouth service instead, however this involved a four-hour drive, with the company offering to reimburse petrol costs.

Friday morning's Plymouth to Roscoff service - which had around 300 passengers booked on it - has also been cancelled.

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