DOVER MP Gwyn Prosser is going to Calais today to see for himself the security measures being put in place at the SNCF freight yard in Frethun to prevent asylum seekers disrupting Channel Tunnel services.

The visit follows talks in France on Monday when the French authorities said they would reinforce the security at their end of the tunnel.

Lack of police and inadequate security fencing had allowed asylum seekers to gain entry to the Frethun terminal and severely disrupt the EWS freight trains. Last week the service had to be halted altogether.

Mr Prosser said: "I have pressed Ministers for firmer action on many occasions and following the intervention of Prime Minister Tony Blair last week, a meeting of high level French and British officials took place in Paris on Monday. I am pleased that they have at least agreed that new measures will be put in place to improve security at the Frethun freight site and that this will happen as soon as possible.

"This breakthrough is warmly welcomed but I will not let up my pressure until I see tangible results and I am assured that all the freight services have returned to normal."

Mr Prosser, a member of the Parliamentary Rail Freight Group, said he would travel to Calais today to see the security measures being put in place at the yard and to discuss the problems being faced by EWS employees.

There are an estimated 600 asyyylum seekers currently in Dover.