BRITTANY Ferries bosses say the unrest at Calais has contributed, in part, to their highest summer passenger numbers for 13 years.

Throughout July and August the company's ferries carried 838,000 passengers across all of its routes - an increase of seven per cent compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, services from Poole to Cherbourg were even busier, with an eight per cent rise to 66,000 passengers compared to 2014.

Brittany Ferries' group commercial director Mike Bevens said that while the strengthening pound "undoubtedly boosted demand" for France and Spain, other factors "such as the problems at Calais and unrest in other countries have contributed to our success."

He believes holidaymakers have been seeking alternative ways of travelling to continental Europe, and opting for more secure destinations close to home.

Mr Bevens also said France and Spain offered even better value this year.

"This is especially true for families staying at, for example, a gite or a campsite, who can also enjoy the convenience of being able to take their own car," he added.

The 3,000 migrants camped in Calais are part of a wider surge of people coming into Europe from north Africa and the Middle East.

Daily attempts have been made by those in the camp to stow away on lorries headed for Eurotunnel and the ferry ports, and on the Le Shuttle trains.

Additional security measures were implemented at the Eurotunnel terminal in August to reduce the number of terminal break-in attempts.

Commenting on the Poole to Cherbourg passenger increase, Poole Harbour Commission chief executive Jim Stewart said: "Obviously we are very pleased to see more traffic coming through the port."

The Barfleur sails daily from Poole to Cherbourg in four-and-a-half hours, returning in the evening, taking foot passengers and freight.