A new PO cross-Channel ferry, Spirit of Britain, has made her maiden voyage from Dover to Calais today (21 January).

VIPs boarded the 152 million, 49,000-tonne vessel Spirit of Britain at Dover for its 90-minute trip across the English Channel to France.

Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes will next month be performing the official naming ceremony.

The Spirit of Britain, which will make the crossing five times a day, will be joined on the Dover Calais route by sister ship, Spirit of France, in September 2011.