Eurotunnel today said “merci beaucoup” to the UK as this country’s economy helped the Channel Tunnel railway operator post record revenues of €1.1 billion.

That was 12% higher than in 2012, when the Olympic summer saw a surge in demand from French horses, British skiers and freight firms, and Eurotunnel said the growth came from these shores.

Spokesman John O’Keefe said: “Britain’s economy is ahead of the rest of Europe, people in the UK have more money to spend, and they’re spending it on trade — meaning more freight on Eurotunnel — and on short breaks.”

Passenger numbers on Eurostar trains in 2013 exceeded 10 million for the first time, while Eurotunnel’s shuttle services carried 2.5 million passenger vehicles and 1.4 million trucks. Europorte, the rail freight unit, enjoyed a 16% jump in revenues last year.

That helped the Eurotunnel group — which has been loss-making for most of its 20-year existence — turn a €20 million profit and raise its dividend for 2013, up 25% to 15 cents.