Downing Street has confirmed security at the UK's ports and train stations has been stepped up as Paris reels from two fatal gun attacks.

A statement issued today said there had been no change in the terrorism level - which remains severe - but there has been a tightening of border security at ports and stations in the UK and France.

It has not been confirmed which ports and stations are affected, but it is likely the port of Dover and Ashford and Ebbsfleet international terminals could face extra security provisions.

The move could also affect passenger trips out of the Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal.

The extra security measures include increased car and lorry searches at ports.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, whose counter-terrorism branch would control security in such circumstances, refused to elaborate on whether Dover was being targeted for increased border protection.

He said: "The terror threat level remains the same, which is a national issue and not in our control.

"Our policing and security arrangements are continually being looked at and assessed and reviewed, but we won't go into specifics of where it's been stepped up."

A spokesman for Eurostar, which runs services to Paris from Ashford, Ebbsfleet and St Pancras international stations, said security was already at the highest level it could be.

But HS1 is in charge of security at the stations.

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