P&O forced to about turn and change the proposed names of their new Dover/Calais ferries

In an about turn of the news from early April of the new new P&O ferry names - Olympic Spirit and Olympic Pride, P&O appear to have been forced to change their mind and are now to name their new ferries 'Spirit of Britain' and 'Spirit of France'.

The London 2012 Olympics organising committee (and I suspect also the full IOC) is fiercely protecting the Olympic brand and has told P&O that the previous names may infringe trademark rights under English law.

So jumping on the Olympic band wagon hasn't in this case helped P&O.

The two new boats are due to be launched at the end of 2010 and in autumn 2011 respectively and will be named by Dame Kelly Holmes.