More than 20 migrants have been intercepted in the Channel - a day after a group of 16 were stopped.

Making their way across the sea on two small boats, today's group were stopped by Border Force and lifeboat crews.

Eight children are among those to have been rescued.

A total of 26 Iraqi and Iranian migrants were intercepted, with four being taken to hospital following medical assessments.

The rest have been brought to shore and are set to be interviewed by immigration enforcement officers.

Hundreds of migrants have attempted to reach Kent shores in the past 12 months.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke yesterday criticised the current set-up aimed at preventing migrant crossings.

In a tweet, he said the Calais Coordination Centre "clearly not working" and called for a cross-Channel security zone with tougher round-the-clock surveillance.

However, the Home Office says the current set-up is working well as it foils attempted illegal crossings.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Since its creation, the Joint Centre for Information and Coordination has fostered closer working relationships between the UK and France.

“Information shared between our two countries has contributed to a significant number of disruptions of maritime migration attempts from the French coastline. We remain strong partners, jointly committed to reducing the threat posed by maritime migration and organised crime.”