A strike by SeaFrance staff, which led to the cancellation of cross-Channel services between Dover and Calais over the Easter break, has entered a fifth day.

The dispute is estimated to have cost the French ferry operator more than £1m, with tens of thousands of passengers affected over the bank holiday weekend.

Talks aimed at resolving the dispute are continuing following the cancellation of all SeaFrance cross-Channel sailings since Friday. Services are expected to resume 2000 BST on Tuesday.

The industrial action began when members of the CFDT union walked out in a row over new working practices.

SeaFrance has advised customers to arrive as normal, saying they will be transferred to a crossing with another operator.

In a statement, the firm said it “profusely apologised” to those affected.

The ferry company normally operates 16 to 19 crossings a day between Calais and Dover.

SeaFrance said negotiations had been taking place to find a solution to the industrial dispute.