Border Force officials have brought at least 15 suspected migrants to shore at Dover.

Two boats arrived at the south coast port, one carrying six suspected migrants and the other nine, according to Sky News.

The first of the boats is said to have arrived just before dawn and the other soon after sunrise.

It follows a search and rescue mission which was carried out into a number of incidents off Kent, in a joint operation by HM Coastguard and Border Force.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

Natalie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal said: “The people traffickers operate their illegal trade everyday of the year, including over the entire festive period from Christmas Day to New Year. The UK and the French authorities should be equally ready. In particular the French should be take firm action to stop these small craft setting off from the French coast.

“The weather was very mild on Christmas Day. These were perfect conditions for illegal departures from France. The French ought to have been more vigilant.

“Border force, the RNLI and HM Coastguard work tirelessly to save lives. But the truth is there should be an agreement between Britain and France that people who are found in the English Channel should be safely returned to France and not brought into Britain. That would be the best deterrent and the most effective way to bring this crisis to an end.”

Read more: All the latest news from Dover