A cross-Channel ferry turned back to Dover 25 minutes after leaving port because of a medical emergency.

The P&O Pride of Kent ferry, which left Dover at 8.25am, turned back to the port because a traveller had a suspected heart attack.

Brian Rees, press spokesman for P&O, said: "There was a medical emergency on board and the ferry birthed back in Dover at 9.10am. An ambulance was waiting and was on the ship at 9.15am."

A German man with a history of heart trouble was believed to be the casualty, and he was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Mr Rees said: "When you carry eight million people a year it's not unusual for people to be poorly.

"If we have a medical emergency - if it's within 35 minutes from port, we turn back. If they are in the middle of the channel they take a helicopter."