A jail in a Kent city has been revealed as one of the most overcrowded in England and Wales.

According to figures published by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Prison Reform Trust (PRT), Canterbury Prison was listed ninth.

The 200-year-old jail - which holds foreign national inmates serving less than four years with an expectation of deportation - is currently at 160 per cent capacity.

Top of the list nationally was Shrewsbury Prison at 183 per cent.

~ See the full list >>>

PRT director Juliet Lyon put Canterbury Prison’s population into context: "It should be holding 195 inmates and as of July 25, it was holding 312.

"That gives you an indication of how overcrowded the prison is and the pressures on the prisoners and the prison staff."

~ Listen: Juliet Lyon spoke to our reporter Adam Williams >>>

Prisons Minister David Hanson said the public shouldn’t be overly concerned by the report’s findings.

He said: "The figures do not show any prison operating beyond the safe level agreed by prisons and area managers. We will always provide enough prison places for the most dangerous, violent and persistent offenders."

Ms Lyon stressed Canterbury Prison should continue to foster a strong community spirit among its inmates.

Staff at Canterbury Prison were unavailable for comment.