Planes were grounded at Kent International Airport today because of the cloud of volcanic dust spreading over Britain.

International flights in and out of Manston were suspended after London's airspace was closed.

The airport remains open but the situation will be reviewed at 6pm.

A spokesman said: "We were on standby this morning to take diverted flights but didn't take any."

Nearly all UK airports, including Gatwick and Heathrow, have been closed in the chaos.

Thousands of flights were cancelled and passengers are facing major disruption.

Kent's air ambulance rescue service is still operational but staff are monitoring the situation.

But ferry operator P&O is benefiting from others' misfortune.

The company said it has been inundated with calls from people looking for alternative ways to travel.

Audio: P&O gain from flights chaos

It is expecting to to have taken double the normal number of bookings by the end of today.

Eurotunnel said it had also seen a surge in sales for Friday and the weekend. It has taken on extra staff to deal with demand.