More people attempted to cross the Channel yesterday than any other day this year, it has been revealed.

French and British authorities found 16 boats heading for the Kent coastline on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Of these, British Border Force seized nine small boats and took in 209 people.

Meanwhile French border control stopped seven, involving 166 people.

The French also made two arrests in relation to small boat crossings.

The first was just south of Boulogne, when a van was stopped and found to contain two boats and two engines.

Later, in a nearby area, an estate vehicle was stopped and found to contain a boat, an engine and fuel.

"There is more work to be done..."

These two arrests come after the discovery on Monday of a concealed boat and engine.

The week before, eight concealed boats and engines were discovered.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are working closely with our partners in France to stop migrants from leaving French beaches.

"More than 2,000 people have been prevented from making dangerous crossings so far this year.

"Overnight, French authorities arrested two individuals found with evidence of intention to facilitate small boat crossings, and confiscated a further two hidden boats this week.

“We acknowledge there is more work to be done, which is why we are bringing forward our New Plan for Immigration to break the business model of people smugglers who put lives at risk by facilitating dangerous journeys into the UK and overhaul our broken asylum system.”

Read more: All the latest news from Dover