Drunken rampage ferry ban

Two universities in Manchester say they are doing their own inquiries into the behaviour of students on a Dover to Calais ferry. P & O has refused to bring them back from the continent after their drunken rampage on the "Spirit of France" ferry on April the 1st.

Four coach loads of students from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University embarked on the journey organised by an external travel operator. Students from other northern universities were also thought to be on board the early morning sailing.

Both Manchester universities say they will try to find out who the main troublemakers were.

A spokeswoman said: "P&O ferries can confirm that around 200 students from the University of Manchester & Manchester Metropolitan University caused disruption on an early sailing of its ship the Spirit of France. we will not be transporting these groups home. " The universities decline to comment.

It is understood the students, from Manchester, had been drinking before they got on board and then trashed the vessel during a mass brawl. Passengers also reported seeing some students exposing themselves. The students were on their way to a ski trip in the Alps.