P&O Cruises is to make repairs to a crack discovered on a deck on superliner Ventura.

The company denied reports circulating on cruise blogs that the ship, with more than 3,000 passengers on board, had been seriously damaged during a crossing of the Bay of Biscay.

The gap was reported to be at least 2 inches wide running the length of the deck with damage to a window pane on the deck below.

Passengers said the area was sectioned off and those with balcony cabins on deck 14 told not to use their balconies.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "Repairs will be made to an aluminium deck on Ventura upon arrival in Southampton today. This has no structural strength or safety implications.

“Ventura will leave Southampton later today as planned for a two night cruise."