Nearly 20 migrants tried to land a fishing vessel in the county before being stopped by teams from the coastguard and Border Force.

In all, 14 men and three children, all of whom said they were Iranian, were found on board the boat heading for Dover Harbour this morning.

It comes less than a week after seven migrants had to be rescued from the English Channel.

It prompted calls for more action from the government by Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke.

He said: "This brazen attempt to break into Britain shows yet again the extreme lengths these desperate people will go to.

"This is a growing problem – and the Home Office must not turn a blind eye."

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Force attended a report of a fishing vessel at Dover Harbour this morning and boarded it with assistance from Dover Harbour Authorities and HM Coastguard.

“Fourteen men and three minors, all of whom presented themselves as Iranian, were found on board.

“The Home Office will progress their cases in accordance with the immigration rules and the three minors have been referred to social services.”

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard assisted Border Force with an incident in Dover Harbour on Tuesday, November 13."