Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is said to be “shocked” by the sheer scale of people arriving in Dover on small boats.

Residents met with Mr Jenrick and town MP Natalie Elphicke as they visited homes in Aycliffe today.

Last week, police were called to an Aycliffe home after a man asked to use a phone following a group's arrival on the beach nearby.

Kerryanne Jones, 47, says she is pleased the visit allowed the government to come to terms with the crisis.

“It was very helpful to speak to him directly to get our point across as a community," she said.

“But he wasn’t aware of the actual amounts that were coming in onto our beach and then onto our estate,” she said.

“I think Mr Jenrick was shocked to be fair of the impact over the last three weeks that it’s had on Aycliffe but he totally understands from what we’ve told him of how our community is feeling.”

She said Mr Jenrick listened to their stories, spoke to them about the situation at Manston and said “things will get easier”.

Following the visit, Natalie Elphicke took to her Facebook and stated: "Robert was able to hear first-hand from Dover residents and councillors about the local impact of the small boats crisis on our community.

"Aycliffe residents told him of their concern and fear over migrants turning up in gardens and even a home uninvited, after landing on Dover beaches.

"Dover and Kent councillors spoke of the impact on local services which is now so bad that Kent leaders have described as at ‘breaking point’.

"I felt the minister really took time to listen and understand the concerns of Dover residents here at the frontline."

Yesterday, the Home Secretary arrived by chinook as she visited both Manston and Dover.