More than 40 migrants have been brought into Dover after being found in the Channel in three small boats.

Border Force confirmed a RHIB carrying 12 men identifying themselves as Iranians was intercepted at around 3.35am.

Another boat, carrying 22 men, was then stopped at 4.25am.

They said they were Iraqi, Iranian and Afghanis.

A third RHIB, containing seven men and two women, who said they were Iranian, was then halted at about 7.50am.

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

A Home Office spokesman said "Eight of the people from the second boat claimed to be minors and, subject to age assessment, will be transferred into the care of social services.

"The cases of all 43 people will be dealt with according to the immigration rules."

He added further migrant activity was intercepted by the French authorities with a small boat returned to France and migrants detained.

Today's incidents means nearly 1,600 migrants have reached the UK this year, according to KentOnline figures.

According to Home Office figures 125 of these have been sent back since January.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover