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Following months of speculation and failed rescue attempts, SeaFrance is being reported as being in liquidation.

SeaFrance sailings have been suspended since mid November last year, when the company was placed under the control of administrators.  Today, it appears that a proposed buyout by the staff of the company, which had the backing of tunnel operator Eurotunnel, has been rejected by the French government.

A previous buyout attempt by DFDS also failed, leaving the state-owned company with little chance of survival.

The company employs eight hundred staff, plus of course there are a large number of support companies.  It will also be a blow for President Sarkosy, who was keen to avoid bad news just a few months before a French general election.