Passengers who had booked tickets with the stricken SeaFrance are to be offered full refunds.

The Commercial Court in Paris has ordered the full liquidation of SeaFrance on the January 9th 2012.

As a result, the company is no longer able to trade.

However, the company has now moved to reassure potential passengers their money is safe.

A statement released earlier said: “SeaFrance has always respected its obligations to its customers and regrets not being able to fulfil any outstanding customer bookings.

“The company has set up an automatic refund process for all current bookings and customers will be contacted about this process by email within 24 hours.

“Customers’ bank accounts will be credited with a full refund as soon as possible.”

Any customers wishing to contact SeaFrance directly should call 0845 458 0666.