Dover's historic town hall hosted the BBC's Question Time show on Thursday, where a variety of pressing topics were discussed.

Host David Dimbleby was sat among a panel including Conservative energy secretary Amber Rudd, Labour's shadow digital minister Louise Haigh, Ukip's leader in the European Parliament Roger Helmer, Sun and spectator columnist Rob Liddle and historian Simon Schama.

The first question came from Mel Luckhurst, she asked whether the country should stay in Europe or opt out.

Mr Schama said he is all for staying in, he said: "I think it is a very good idea to seek a reformed Europe.

"The thing about the EU is that it was founded after the war, out of the ashes of catastrophe.

"The great crisis of the refugees has almost forced Europe in a way in which is may not have wanted, to think about whether it is going to be something other than simply a fine tuner in the international system of finance and economics."

Among those asking questions was former town mayor Pam Brivio who was sat in the audience.

Dover district and North Deal Cllr Bob Frost also attended and said he found the debate interesting.

Cllr Brivio said the country has a "failing health service" and that Syrian migrants can bring a lot to the UK.

Ian Smiler asked: "How do we identify genuine refugees gathered at Calais and give them refuge whilst sending back economic migrants home?"

Mr Helmer was first to speak, he said: "It is almost impossible.

"We are dealing with people who may have thrown away their papers when they cross the Mediterranean, we are dealing with people who may have been given passports in different member states.

"If you look at the people coming in, it is extraordinary what a very large number of young men are included - not all of them - there are women and there are children.

"At the beginning of this process everyone said 'of course they are refugees, of course they must be let in'.

"But more recently there have been proper studies done of people coming through and it is clear that genuine refugees are a small proportion.

"About 75% are generic economic migrants..."

Mr Dimbleby interrupted, saying: "Here we are in Dover, how would you let people in? Who should come in and who should be sent back."

Mr Helmer continued: "What we should be doing is we should be giving people the opportunity to apply outside in British embassies abroad or whatever.

"Once you let these people in they will always be here whether they should have a right or not..."

The full hour episode is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

See the Mercury, out on Thursday, October 22 for a full report.