Inflatable dinghies being used by migrants to cross the Channel are being stored in their hundreds at a Dover warehouse.

The mass of boats are piled three high and in multiple rows on land off Palmerstone Road in Whitfield.

Before now, it has not been clear what happened to the vessels - which are often brand new - after they have been intercepted by Border Force.

Deal and Dover MP Natalie Elphicke has reacted today, tweeting: "MP Natalie Elphicke said: "They use a range of new methods to keep one step ahead of the authorities.

"The Home Secretary has set out a range of actions to tackle this issue and I support her commitment to do so.

"Leaving the EU means we will be able to change how we do things on many issues. This is one that must be looked at urgently, including extra legal powers.

"I will continue to make the case for these dangerous journeys to be tackled - until these crossings are ended once and for all."

It comes after 2,800 migrants have reached the UK so far this year, prompting a warning from Home Secretary Priti Patel that the illegal activity 'cannot go on'.

Last week she visited France and is said to have struck a deal with the country to crack down on migrants arriving in the UK.

A Home Office spokesman said: “These crossings are illegally facilitated and no one should be attempting them in the first place.

"France, from where these crossing originate, is a manifestly safe country with a fully functioning asylum system. Genuine refugees who are in France can and should claim asylum there and have no excuse to refuse the chance to do so and travel illegally and dangerously to the UK instead."

The French have prevented more than 200 attempts in the past week alone.

The spokesman added: “We are returning those who are making these crossings from the UK.

"So far in 2020, 22 people smugglers have been convicted and put behind bars as a result of Immigration Enforcement investigations, with more underway.”

Read more: All the latest news from Dover