EUROSTAR TRIP HIT BY DELAY

EUROSTAR’S inaugural trip from London to Avignon in the south of France was held up on its return by 100 striking French customs officers who took over the platform and crossed the tracks.

The 15-minute delay was the only hitch for the new six-hour direct service for this summer, which carried 200 travel agents, journalists and Eurostar staff on its first journey. The Foreign Office is warning travellers to France to prepare for delays caused by striking workers.

Eurostar managing director Gordon Bye vowed to take on the low-cost carriers, with fares starting at £115 return for the new service. He also revealed long term hopes to introduce new direct routes to Amsterdam and other parts of France.