Ferry firm apologises as porn screened to passengers

DFDS Transmanche said it was "very sorry" for the incident

A ferry company has apologised after children were left "screaming" when pornography was screened on one of its ships bound for Sussex.

DFDS said it was "very sorry" for the incident, which happened late last month onboard the ferry from Dieppe, in France, to Newhaven.

It said that an "adult film" was mistakenly broadcast on the onboard lounge television to passengers who had been watching the Formula One grand prix.

A DFDS spokesperson said the crew were "not aware" the film was being broadcast, adding that "once they were alerted to the content, the channel was swiftly changed."

The incident was said to have taken place during a delay which saw the ferry sent back to France due to a technical fault at Newhaven Port.

DFDS said: "We are very sorry for the understandable upset and anger that this caused. It will not happen again."

It added that the channel had since been removed from the list of available television stations on the boat.

Talking to the Argus in Brighton, one passenger described the scene as "a bit mad - suddenly, kids were running out of the recliner lounge area screaming.

"Some parents came out and they were asking the staff to sort it out.

"They were saying, 'There's hardcore porn on the TV'.

"I couldn't see it myself, but it was audible."

The person added: "I don't know how it got on there, people were really disgruntled."

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