French ferry workers have blocked the Channel Tunnel terminal near Calais after setting fire to tyres, sending huge clouds of acrid black smoke into the skies, and bringing travel misery to thousands of motorists.

The workers' action, which is scheduled to resume later on Tuesday afternoon, is the latest protest over a dispute over possible job cuts.

Tail-backs for many miles were reported on the A16 motorway south of Calais after the ferry workers blocked both carriageways at the Channel Tunnel junction as smoke billowed across the French countryside.

In pictures: Calais strikes Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Calais strikes In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes Employees of the MyFerrylink company stage a protest by blocking the A16 highway with a tyre fire in Calais In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes The power struggle between the employees of SeaFrance, owner of the ferry company MyFerrylink, and the owners of the their ships, Eurotunnel, continued with the 2-hour block to the access tunnels under the English Channel by the employees In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes An employee of the MyFerrylink company walks next to the burning tyres In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes Ferry workers block carriageways at the Channel Tunnel junction In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes Employees of the MyFerrylink protest by blocking access to the tunnels under the English Channel In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes Participants of the protest set fire to the tyres In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes Lorries and cars queue on A16 motorway close to the Channel Tunnel terminal access in Calais In pictures: Calais strikes Calais strikes The Calais ferry workers' dispute had fallen silent during round-table talks between the French government, Eurotunnel and a small local seamen’s union and workers' cooperative

The Calais ferry workers' dispute had fallen silent during round-table talks between the French government, Eurotunnel and a small local seamen’s union and workers' cooperative. The protests resumed today after a meeting failed to break the deadlock on Monday.