REBEL shareholders in Eurotunnel last night voted to oust the directors of the Channel Tunnel operators' board.

They rejected all resolutions put forward by the board at the company's annual meeting in Paris, including proposals to re-elect chief executive Richard Shirrefs and chairman Charles Mackay.

The outgoing Eurotunnel board issued a statement saying it was proud of the business and of its achievements, despite the constraints it faced.

The French businessman expected to become the company's new president, Jacques Maillot, won massive cheers from the audience.