Croissants: a modern-day version of sending coals to Newcastle '“ from Portsmouth

This year is the 40th anniversary of the opening of what has grown to become Portsmouth International Port, but what for most of the past four decades was known simply as '˜the ferry port'.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Jan 2016, 06:00 BST

Croissants from the Selsey Croissant Company en route to France in November 1983

From a small four-acre site with a choice of just two routes and one ‘linkspan’ for passengers to board ferries, the port now offers crossings to more destinations than any other UK port.

This summer staff there will be celelbrating with a series of special events and they are asking passengers to contribute memories, photographs and home movies of the early days of what is now dubbed ‘Britain’s best-connected port’.

Built by Portsmouth City Council alongside the M275, the port quickly gained that title because of its closeness to London and a much larger range of connections on the continent than any other UK port.

You can send your memories to [email protected].