Several migrant boats have been spotted off the Kent coast.

Border Force officials are on the scene near the border of Kent and East Sussex at Winchelsea Beach, where it is believed as many as eight boats have been found.

Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover and Deal, believes that, if confirmed, "This would be a record number of boats arriving in a single day."

He added: "This crisis was meant to have been dealt with at Christmas, yet numbers continue to rise.

"It looks set to surge to record levels through the summer. The Home Office needs to get a grip on this crisis.

"This is about much more than simply border security. It is about the exploitation of vulnerable people by criminal trafficking gangs - gangs that Britian and France must work together to catch and bring to justice.

"These journeys are also incredibly dangerous. Overcrowded boats with men, women & children aboard. The risk of a tragedy in the middle of the English Channel resulting in loss of life is very real.

"This is why the Home Office and France must act now to bring this crisis to an end."

The Home Office has confirmed Border Force officials are at the scene, but will not provide more information until the situation has been resolved.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is helping the operation. It says it has been assisting Border Force with 13 incidents off the Kent coast this morning.

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