Three security guards are today positioned outside a seafront hotel which is being used to house asylum seekers.

The three men, all wearing masks, are guarding the Stade Court Hotel in Hythe, which is now shut off to the public.

Traffic cones have been placed at the entrance of the hotel, with signs advising that it is temporarily closed.

Guests were seen sitting on balconies.

It follows reports that the Home Office has made a deal to use the hotel as accommodation for people seeking asylum in the UK.

When our reporter visited the site today, a man said he was 'managing' the hotel on behalf of the Home Office.

He would not reveal any more information, including why there is a need for security personnel or whether the guests are allowed to leave.

It is not known how long the hotel will be used to accommodate the asylum seekers, but the BBC reported it would be for about two months at a cost of £5,000 a day.

However, a spokesman for the Home Office said they did not 'recognise' these figures.

The spokesman also said hotels were being used due to the "unprecedented demand" for accommodation.

It comes as a record number of people crossed the Channel on Monday this week in an attempt to reach Kent and other parts of the south east coastline.

In total, 430 people made the dangerous journey from France in small boats, landing at Kingdown near Deal, and on Romney Marsh.

Another 287 people also arrived on Tuesday.

So far this year, more than 8,400 people have crossed the sea to reach the UK.

In response, Home Secretary Priti Patel vowed yet more action, with £54 million sent to France to double the number of police on beaches.

A new bill is also being introduced which will give Border Force officers powers to turn asylum seekers away from the UK while at sea, and makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission.

As well as accommodating people at the Stade Court Hotel, former military camp, Napier Barracks, in Folkestone, has been used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers since September last year.

The barracks has been rife with issues ever since, including fires, protests, arrests, demonstrations and Covid-19 outbreaks.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The asylum system is being exploited by criminal gangs who facilitate dangerous, unnecessary and illegal small boat crossings.

"Our Nationality and Borders bill will fix this broken system to deter these dangerous and illegal crossings.

"In the meantime, due to the unprecedented demand, we have had to use temporary accommodation such as hotels to manage demands on the asylum estate.”

The Home Office has been approached for more information.

Read more: All the latest news from Hythe