Passengers on the first ferry from Calais to the UK to arrive in post-Brexit Britain were given commemorative badges to mark the occasion - but many called Britain's decision to Leave "depressing", "stupid" and "idiotic".

Those aboard the Cotes des Dunes sailed from France last night and arrived at 11.45pm, less than an hour after Britain had left the EU. They were given pins that said: "I travelled through Dover after Brexit."

Onboard, the historic moment arrived with little fuss. While there were parties up and down the country for giddy Brexiteers, there were no celebrations among the passengers as the clock struck on one of the last ferries to leave the European mainland and make the 26-mile (42km) journey across the English Channel. Just sadness, and quite a bit of anger.

"It's very depressing what's happening today," said Alessio Bortone, an Italian who has lived in Britain for 10 years.

The 42-year-old has a British wife and their children hold two passports. His work as a software engineer brings him regularly to the continent.

"I just crossed this afternoon four borders from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. That's what we built as Europeans," he told AFP as he boarded the ferry bringing him to his adopted home.