P&O bans 'lewd' ski trip Manchester university students

P&O has banned 200 Manchester students after staff and passengers complained about their "wholly unacceptable" drunken behaviour on a ferry to Calais.

Some students exposed themselves while a fight also broke out in a bar on board the £180m Spirit of France ferry on 1 April, the firm said.

University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University students were travelling to the Alps to go skiing.

About 1,559 people were on the ferry at the time, including young families.

A P&O spokeswoman said the company had contacted the universities and their tour operators and would not be providing transport home for the groups.

The spokeswoman added: "The company deplores the behaviour of this group of students, who were clearly drunk before they boarded the ship.

"Customers and staff on-board the ship were appalled by the students' aggressive and lewd conduct, which should be stamped out by the authorities".

Neither university was available for comment.