CONDOR Ferries has reported a fourfold increase in passenger bookings to France in the wake of strike action which has hit other operators.

Condor says it has been catering for hundreds of passengers wanting to avoid travelling to Dover and other ports.

But it is Poole which is benefiting from the surge after Condor was forced to pull out of Weymouth because of cracks in the Harbour wall.

The cost of repairing the damage has doubled to £4million and here are fears the work may not be completed in time for the company to resume sailings as planned in March next year.

Wildcat strike action in French ports has affected most other ferry operations but Condor offers sailings to St Malo via a connecting service in Jersey or Guernsey.

Alicia Andrews, sales and marketing director, said: “We are operating a full schedule of daily sailings between Poole and St Malo over the coming weekend and are pleased to be able to help passengers who want to get to Brittany, with the minimum of inconvenience, driving and motorway tolls on the way to their destination.”