A total 32 people in four small boats have been stopped by immigration officials mid-Channel.

The Home Office confirmed officials were first alerted to the vessels heading towards Kent - at 4am today.

A Border Force coastal patrol vessel, CPV, and a cutter, were sent out and intercepted them.

The occupants, made up of men, women and two children, were transferred onto the Border Force vessels.

One of the migrant boats had 10 people one board, another had eight, and two had seven.

All were taken to Dover, where they were medically assessed and found to be well, before being transferred to immigration officials to be interviewed.

The migrants have presented themselves as nationals of Iraq and Iran.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk.

"The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life.

“We have Border Force cutters patrolling the Channel and equipment including drones, CCTV and night vision goggles in use to identify and tackle this dangerous and illegal activity.

“The Home Secretary is in discussions with the French authorities about this issue and we continue to work closely at all levels with France."

The Home Office says that since January it has returned more than 65 people who arrived illegally in small boats to Europe.

Incidents have repeatedly occurred over the last year, also at Kingsdown near Deal, Folkestone, and Romney Marsh.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh