Port blockade leaves Britons stranded at sea

HUNDREDS of British tourists were left stranded yesterday after protesting Spanish fishermen blockaded the port of Santander.

The blockade, part of a 'tuna war' with French fishermen, prevented the Brittany Ferries vessel Val de Loire, with 1,740 passengers aboard, from docking at the northern Spanish port.

After two hours, the vessel turned back and sailed to Roscoff in Brittany - 20 hours away but the nearest port that could take the 32,000-tonne vessel at short notice. It was due to arrive there early today and then sail back to Plymouth.