Three Kent MPs have travelled to Calais to see for themselves the migrant camps where several thousand would-be asylum seekers and refugees are gathered.

Gravesham MP Adam Holloway, Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately and Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst are making a fact-finding visit to see at first hand the conditions at the camp.

They have also taken a car load of clothes, bedding and other supplies donated by local people to distribute to those in the camps.

The visit comes as the Mayor of Calais Natalie Bouchart announced she wanted tougher penalties for those who tried to breach security at the Eurotunnel entrance in Calais.

Under the proposals, those arrested at the site could face up to ten years in jail and fines of up to 150,000 Euros.

Meanwhile a report has been published slamming the conditions at the camps.

The report from the University of Birmingham says the perilous conditions facing the occupants fails to meet the standards recommended by global authorities.

A team of researchers found the conditions in the informal refugee camp are significantly contributing to ill-health and injury.

The report states that conditions in the camp do not meet standards recommended by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the World Health Organisation.

Dr Arshad Isakjee, one of the researchers, said: “It is our assessment that the situation in Calais amounts to a humanitarian crisis and requires far greater resource than has been provided to date by state agencies to protect migrants in the camp.”