A call for compassion towards migrants crossing the English Channel has been made by an anti-racism campaign group.

Kent Anti-Racism Network (Karn) has organised a vigil in Ramsgate on Sunday, saying they are "very concerned" for those crossing the water in small boats and dinghys.

Yesterday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid visited Dover to see what can be done to help stop people making the trip across the Channel.

He has previously declared the number of migrants arriving on the coast a 'major incident'.

A spokesman for Karn said: "We are entering the coldest mid-winter season now and desperate people are risking everything to exercise their legal right to claim asylum in Britain.

"Sajid Javid and the government are intent on operating their hostile environment policy in the seas and beaches of Kent.

"We are a group of local residents who want to firmly say ‘refugees are welcome here'.

“We have called this to show many locals are very concerned for the people on these little boats. We are working with the group Care4Calais and will be collecting donations on Sunday to help keep refugees warm this winter.”

It comes as a Kent MP called for migrants crossing the Channel to Kent to be 'helped back to France'.

Since November, more than 220 people have been found making the trip across from France.

The Home Secretary said those who do make it to the UK will be processed in the normal way, but two Border Forces cutters will be redeployed in the Channel to stop them from making it.

The vigil will be held on Sunday, January 6 at 1pm at the Obelisk by Ramsgate Harbour.