The costs of changing crews in home water passages to the near continent may increase as yachtsmen face a reduced choice of ferry operators to cross the English Channel.

The impact could be felt after SeaFrance the ailing French ferry operator currently owned by SNCF, is sold off.

Brittany Ferries has joined the battle to buy the operator and part monopolise ferry routes on the Dover-Calais run.

French unions say the deal is worth 57 million pounds sterling and would cost 400 jobs.