A Kent MP is backing a plan to give France £12 million to tackle increasing numbers of illegal immigrants gathering at Calais trying to reach the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May reached the deal with her French counterpart and the cash will be used to bolster security at the French port.

The money will be delivered over three years.

It comes after an increasing number of stowaways have been seen trying to reach Dover by targeting lorry drivers and ferries.

Earlier this month around 100 illegal immigrants tried to force their way onto a ferry to Dover after storming Calais.

The asylum seekers charged onto the ramp of the P&O vessel after climbing over fences and overpowering security staff.

But the captain closed the doors and the group was escorted away by French police armed with sub-machine guns.

Just four days ago a suspected illegal immigrant was found on the roof of a lorry disembarking a P&O ferry at Dover.

And on Friday 24 Eritrean nationals were found in a refrigerated lorry trailer at Whitfield, near Dover.

The Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart called for Britain to do more to tackle the crisis and threatened to block the port to disrupt sailings in a bid to bring attention to the situation.

Dover and Deal MP described the million pound investment as a positive step in the right direction.

He said: "We should have this cooperation agreement between Britain and France. It's been needed for such a long time because we've had such a problem at Calais and I really welcome it.

"It's an horrendous experience for people to come into Britain for people to find a stowaway underneath their camper van or in the back seats in their car.

"That's why this agreement is necessary because we've got to deal with this problem and make sure our borders are safe and secure.

"I think it's particularly important to make sure the port entry into Calais is secure so people aren't harassed while on their way to catch a ferry."

He added that the plan will also see the French authorities contributing money.

"It's joint action to provide joint security to deal with a problem affecting both Britain and France. We're not a disinterested spectator in this matter but I do very much see it as a start, as the beginning of the journey because there's a lot more to do far wider than just Dover and Calais."