Two small boats containing 18 migrants, including children, have been intercepted off the Kent coast today.

A Border Force cutter found a RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) four miles south east of Folkestone headed towards the UK at about 4am.

Five men, who all presented themselves as Iranian nationals, were found on board.

They were transferred to the cutter and brought to Dover.

An hour later at 5am, a second RHIB was intercepted two miles south of Folkestone, where 13 people were also brought on board a Border Force cutter.

These people presented themselves as Iranian and Iraqi nationals.

The group consisted of nine men plus a family of four - a father, mother and two young children.

All 18 people were medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview.

There has been a continuing trend since last November of suspected migrants reaching the Kent coast by small craft.

They have either landed on the shores or been rescued and brought to land by British authorities.

There has been a net 46 cases, involving a total 400 people, since November 8 last year.

Incidents have happened at Dover, Deal, Kingsdown, Folkestone and Romney Marsh.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: "We must focus on the ruthless people traffickers who prey on vulnerable people.

"The only way to stop them is ensuring they can't successfully smuggle anyone into the UK - especially with aerial surveillance making it possible to find and return boats safely to the French coast."

A striking new poster was earlier put out to urge people on the coast to keep their eyes peeled for terrorism and organised crime.