French troops storm seized ferry

TROOPS were dropped from helicopters onto a ferry that striking sailors had taken in protest at plans to privatise the state-run SNCM shipping company.

Special forces from the French army were used to take back the ferry, which had no passengers on at the time, from about 50 protestors who planned to sail the ship into Corsica.

Union bosses said the soldiers had 'defeated a handful of unarmed Corsican sailors' whilst protestors vowed to step-up blockades at ports in the area.