Kent businesses could find it harder to fill vacancies after figures revealed a significant fall in the number of migrant workers registering in the county.

The drop has been seen as further evidence of the impact of Brexit and is also likely to cause concern among employers in both the private and public sector.

According to data based on National Insurance number allocations, Kent saw 13,926 workers from overseas in 2016-17 register, representing a drop of 956 (6.4%) compared to 2015-16.

Employment expert Professor Richard Scase of the University of Kent Business School said: "These numbers are very significant in as much as they are a warning of what is to come when Brexit is implemented.”

“The farming industry is going to have real problems. Really people didn’t appreciate this when they voted for Brexit in 2016.”

“There is an argument that jobs will be filled by British workers but I fail to see much sign of that. You walk down the high streets anywhere in Kent and the number of shops and restaurants that have vacancies."

"It is very worrying, particularly for small businesses and how they are going to cope. After Brexit, the process of recruiting is going to be much more complex and will reduce their ability to hire and fire,"

But the South East MEP Janice Atkinson said she was not surprised in view of the improving economy in other parts of the EU.

“There is no uncertainty on EU freedom of movement, the government made that quite clear this week. Effectively, we still have free movement with those seeking work having to apply for visas.

"Whilst the visa approach is good, there will still be a black economy for workers to be exploited. After all, the government does not seem to have the checks in place to monitor this.”

According to the figures, Romania accounted for the bulk of migrant workers - 4,265 - representing an increase of 57 on the previous year.

However, there was a decline in the number of Polish migrants registering to work in Kent, a country which has traditionally figured highly in terms of the migrant workforce.

Some 1,384 workers registered in Kent, a fall of 551 on the previous year - down 28%. However, that still accounted for the third highest number.

When it came to the numbers in different parts of the county, figures show that Maidstone saw the sharpest drop in registrations with 2,561 - a fall of 459 on 2015-16.

But it still remains the area with most new allocations, followed by Canterbury with 2,229 and Swale with 1,697. Both these saw small falls in numbers.

The uncertainty over the status of EU citizens is already creating challenges for Kent employers.

The KM Group recently revealed how hospital trusts had seen close to 400 staff leave in the year running up to the Brexit and its aftermath.