SOUTHAMPTON-BASED P&O Cruises has been bearing the brunt of a decision to sack 800 staff by a similarly-named firm it is not linked to.

P&O Ferries, based in Dover, sacked hundreds of employees with immediate effect earlier today after cancelling all services.

But, responding to abuse from members of the public on social media, P&O Cruises had to clarify that despite having the same P&O name, it is not linked to the ferry company.

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The cruise firm was sold to the Carnival Corporation in 2003. Its base in Southampton's Harbour Parade.

P&O Ferries is owned by DP World - which also operates the Southampton container port.

Despite the wrongly-directed abuse, some gave their sympathy to the cruise firm.

What has happened with P&O Ferries?

P&O Ferries fired 800 members of staff with immediate effect after cancelling all services earlier today.

As reported by BBC News the ferry operator said the "tough decision" was made to secure the future of the business.

P&O has said that its services will not operate for the "next few days", with passengers told to use other companies.

It added its survival was dependent on "making swift and significant changes now".