Another 1,000 Border Force guards will safeguard our coast from illegal immigrants if Labour get into power - at a cost of £55million. That's the pledge from Shadow Immigration minister David Hanson after a visit to Dover today.

The Welsh MP also called for a joined up Europe-wide attitude to stopping illegal immigrants.

Mr Hanson visited the RNLI and Border Force personnel at the harbour as part of his fact-finding trip in Dover.

Speaking exclusively to Kentonline prior to a canvassing trip in Clarendon Road, he said: "I'm particularly concerned to look at how we can make sure that we have greater security of our borders here in South Kent."

"This isn't a Dover Problem, a Kent problem, or a UK problem. This is a European problem," David Hanson, shadow immigration minister

His biggest focus is checking small boats which leave Calais - possibly without the rigorous checks that Ferry traffic undergo.

"It seems to be an area where we need more focus," he said.

He called for an examination on how checks can be tightened up on small boats, but ultimately he wants Britain and European countries to mete out tougher penalties on traffickers who make great profits out of their trade.

Mr Hanson, who visited Calais in December, added: "This isn't a Dover Problem, a Kent problem, or a UK problem, this is a European problem. We need greater European forces. We need to bring together European ministers in what I call the soft underbelly. Countries like Greece, Spain and Italy, and greater pressure on the French to ensure they're taking greater action in Calais."

His comments came after he spoke to those on the front line: RNLI and Border Force staff whose teams were busy in the summer preventing would-be illegal migrants entering Britain via dinghies and rafts.

"This is a fact-finding visit. If I become the immigration minister in 10 weeks, what better place to find out about immigration than Dover?"

But Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said Labour wrecked our border control by "allowing pretty much anyone to wander into Britain" - a "shambles" the party should apologise for.

he said: "Official statistics show that under Labour, net migration to the UK rocketed fivefold from 48,000 in 1997 to 256,000 in 2010.

“Immigration sky-rocketed and migrants could also sign on and get housing no questions asked.

"It is shameful that Labour now claim they want to get tough on immigration. We will never forget what they did in Government.

“This has now changed. The Conservatives are making our borders safer and more secure. We have more border officers than in 2010 and extra funding at Calais to strengthen our borders controls there. We've cracked down on welfare tourism so people can't sign on or get housing priority.

Britain is no longer the soft-touch it was under Labour.

“In Government, Labour would wreck our immigration system all over again.”