Eurotunnel has announced a profit of 1.4 million euros for last year, despite the weather, a fire in the tunnel and poor economic conditions.

The 2009 net profit was a decrease on the 34 million euros it made in 2008.

There was a negative impact on profits after fire in the tunnel in September 2008, when the blaze prevented other passenger and freight services to be affected.

Snow in December caused major cancellations at Eurostar, the passenger train service that pays Eurotunnel a fee per passenger for using the Channel Tunnel.

Eurotunnel itself carries car and coach passengers, and freight lorries.