Scores of asylum seekers have been intercepted off the Kent coast after attempting to cross the Channel, while ferry crews reported a small rowing boat in difficulty off Calais.

Eyewitnesses say as many as 60 people in several vessels attempted to make the perilous journey earlier today.

Some of the crafts were brought to Dungeness, while the third was escorted to Dover. It is believed they were then detained by authorities.

Since the beginning of this year, more than 17,000 people have made the dangerous journey the UK in small boats – double the figure for the whole of last year.

French authorities today confirmed 33 people had been returned off boats and taken back to northern France.

Boats began getting into difficulties overnight on Friday into today, with two picked up off Cap Gris Nez.

A statement from French officials added that the crews on board the Spirit of Britain and Pride of Canterbury ferries then reported a small kayak-style boat was adrift with three people on board, off Calais.

Dan O’Mahoney of the Home Office said: "The government is determined to tackle the unacceptable rise in dangerous Channel crossings using every tool at our disposal, at every stage in the journey.

“Working with police and international partners, there have been nearly 300 arrests and 65 convictions related to small boat criminality

"Our targeted efforts have prevented more than 15,000 migrant attempts so far this year."

This comes after almost 1,500 asylum seekers were discovered attempting to make their way to the UK over the space of three days last weekend.

A Kurdish-Iranian family, including small children, died when their boat sank off the French coast 12 months ago.

And in August, a 27-year-old man from Eritrea died after he and four others jumped overboard as their boat started to sink.

"This is a complicated issue requiring changes to our laws," Mr O'Mahoney added.

"The government’s New Plan for Immigration provides a long term solution to fix the broken system and deliver the change required to tackle criminal gangs and prevent further loss of life.”

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