Seven suspected immigrants who abandoned their boat at Stone Bay, Broadstairs, on Monday morning (October 13) were later arrested at the town’s railway station.

Emergency services were alerted when a dog walker spotted the men coming ashore at around 6.30am.

A spokesperson for Kent Police said that the men, aged between 17 and 26, were in custody on Monday afternoon and will be dealt with by the UK Border Agency.

It was not clear where the men began their journey but their vessel was towed back to Ramsgate harbour.