Dozens of migrants are understood to have been rescued from a boat off the Kent coast.

Border Force officers are involved in a new incident involving a small vessel near the Port of Dover.

The mission has involved two RNLI vessels and three from the Border Force.

It was initially thought up to 19 migrants were involved but officials have confirmed the number involved was 34.

A Border Force spokesman said at 2pm: "Border Force are currently dealing with an ongoing small boat incident off the Kent coast.

"Further details will be provided once the situation has been resolved."

Usually small craft with migrants that are stopped at sea are brought ashore with the occupants taken in for interview by immigration officials.

Hundreds of migrants have tried to reach Britain, usually heading for the Dover or Folkestone districts by dinghy, over the last three months.