A group of migrants were found on a beach in Dungeness after crossing the Channel in a small boat.

Several men were spotted on the beach earlier today.

Initially, Border Force officials intercepted 20 people at various locations around Dungeness after they arrived in the small craft.

The individuals were medically assessed and found to be well, before being transferred to immigration officials so they could be interviewed.

The 20 people said they were Iranian and Iraqi nationals.

In the second incident, a Border Force cutter intercepted a small boat and brought 11 men to Dover.

The group were again medically assessed and found to be well, before being transferred to immigration officials.

The men told officials they were also Iraqi and Iranian nationals.

Additionally, six people including three children, were found by police on the Sussex coast earlier today and they too are thought to have arrived in a small boat.

The three adults have now been transferred to immigration officials so they an be interviewed while the minors have been placed in the care of social services. These six people also told officials they are Iranian and Iraqi nationals.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Anyone crossing the Channel in a small boat is taking a huge risk with their life and the lives of their children.

“Since December, two cutters have returned to UK waters from overseas operations, we have agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais.

“It is an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and since January more than 50 people who arrived illegally in the UK in small boats have been returned to Europe.”

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh

Read more: All the latest news from Dover