Ferry operators expected thousands to travel this weekend

P&O is running all six vessels between Dover and the French port.

Two berths at Calais were closed after a cable snapped, leaving just two available for P&O and SeaFrance to use.

On Saturday, P&O said all berths were open and delays in France were "short". Families returning after half term had been warned of disruption.

P&O was expecting 50,000 passengers, many of them families with children, to try to return to Britain this weekend.

The company has said it is preparing a multi-million pound compensation claim for the "unprecedented" problems.

SeaFrance said over 160 coaches and 1,000 cars would be arriving in Kent.

A week of disruption has led to hold-ups on the M20, with Operation Stack - where lorries travelling to Dover have to park on the coastbound motorway - implemented several times.