A total of 66 migrants were found around the Kent coast this morning.

Full details have now emerged about the people, including children, who were picked up while attempting to reach the shores this morning.

Several were seen landing in St Margaret's Bay, before allegedly abandoning their boat and walking towards Kingsdown.

Border Force said it was alerted to a small boat travelling across the Channel at about 5.35am.

It comes just days after a body found in Dutch waters in search for a missing migrant.

This morning, Border Force deployed HMC Seeker and coastal patrol vessel Speedwell to intercept the vessel, which was brought into Dover.

The boat had 35 migrants on board, 27 adults and eight children, made up of 29 males and six females, who told officials they were Iranian, Iraqi, Afghan, Syrian and Kuwaiti nationals.

The group were transferred to immigration officials who will interview them.

A second incident happened also happened at 5.35am when French authorities made Border Force aware of a second vessel heading towards Kent.

Border Force vessels HMC Seeker and CPV Speedwell were again deployed to assist.

This time they found 16 migrants on board who were taken to Dover.

The group were comprised of six men, five women and five children.

Fifteen said they were Iranian and the other one was Lebanese.

One woman on board was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.

The group will also now be interviewed by officials.

Then at 9.55am, Border Force was again alerted to a RHIB (rigid-inflatable boat) in the middle of the Channel.

It was intercepted by a coastal patrol vessel and the seven migrants on board were taken to Dover.

The group of five men, one woman and a child said they were all Iranian and are also being interviewed.

A fourth incident was the one at St Margaret's Bay where eight people were detained.

A RHIB was found and the individuals were detained by Kent Police.

They have now been transferred to immigration officials, so they can be interviewed and they all said they were Iranian.

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 are working closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle this dangerous and illegal activity.

"In addition, Border Force cutters are patrolling the Channel and we have already deployed equipment including drones, CCTV and night vision goggles.

“This week the Home Secretary and her French counterpart agreed to intensify joint action to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel.

"This includes drawing up an enhanced action plan to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings.”

Since January the Home Office say it's has returned more than 65 people who arrived illegally in small boats to Europe.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent