The number of Afghan children smuggled into the UK through Dover has soared by 55 per cent in the last year.

The figures for detected cases show KCC caught 265 smuggled Afghan children between April, 2007, and March, 2008 - an increase of 55 per cent on the previous year.

Rising tensions and violence in Afghanistan are believed to be behind the surge.

Kent County Council chief executive Peter Gilroy said the Nato forces' battle against Taliban insurgents was behind the figures.

He said: "It is well documented that where there are major conflicts in the world, the number of people from those countries claiming asylum increases.

"This is reflected by the marked increase in the number of children and young people from Afghanistan seeking asylum.

"There are some very sophisticated smuugling operations involved, but when people under the age of 18 arrive in these circumstances we as the local authority have a responsiblity to ensure they receive the best care we can provide."