Frustrated immigration workers formed a picket line outside their offices in Folkestone, challenging pay rises below inflation.

The workers, based on the Shearway Business Park, are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union that represents coastguards, driving test examiners and immigration officers.

Their pay increase, taking into account the cost of living, is 0.5 per cent for most workers, although for people on a lower pay scale there is not rise at all.

Standing in front of their Martello House offices on Shearway Road, strikers said living costs and rises in inflation make the increase unreasonable.

Listen to the Public and Commercial Services Union's President Mark Hammond

The union's president Mark Hammond said: "There is a massive increase in the cost of living, so it is crucial we do something about it.

"Our message to the bosses is sit and listen to the members who are seeing their pay affected whilst senior civil servants enjoy massive bonuses."

This weekend is also set to bring more disruption as coastguard services across Shepway will be affected by a 48-hour strike.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is asking people to look carefully at their plans and be cautious when near the sea this weekend, although contingency planning is in place to ensure public safety is protected and 999 emergency telephone calls will be handled as normal.

Tens of thousands of Home Office workers are striking across the country, joining with public sector colleagues across the country in what has been a week of action over pay.

Driving tests, immigration control, issuing of passports and coastguard services are just some of the areas that have been affected countrywide.

PCS is taking action alongside Unison, whose members in local government were on strike on Wednesday and Thursday, and Unite' members in the health service.

General secretary at PCS Mark Serwotka said: "The government has lost all credibility in its attempts to portray low-paid public servants as the causes of inflation, rather than its victims.

"We will continue to press for serious negotiations with ministers but we are prepared and determined to fight alongside our public sector colleagues if that is what is required."