Four men have been arrested on suspicion of helping migrants enter the UK after two small boats were intercepted in the English Channel.

Fifteen men, all of whom claimed to be Iranian, were found on the two vessels, the first of which was brought to Dover shortly after Border Force were alerted at about 9am.

Nine males were on board, six of whom are being interviewed by immigration officials.

A vessel believed to contain migrants was filmed off the coast of Dungeness. Video: Anonymous supplier

The other three men on the vessel have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK.

At about midday, a second boat was seen off the Kent coast and found by Border Force.

Six men were brought aboard a coastal patrol vessel, where they are believed to have been pictured off the coast of Dungeness, above, before they were brought back to Dover.

Five were transferred to immigration officials.

The sixth was also arrested on suspicion of helping the men enter the UK.

All the investigations are being dealt with by immigration enforcement criminal and financial investigation officers.

The latest incidents news follows the picking up of seven migrants near the coast at Kingsdown yesterday.

Among them was one woman, one man and five children.

The latest findings bring the total number of people who have arrived in Britain by small craft either by themselves or after being rescued at sea since November 8 to 322 in 38 incidents.