Refugees trying to flee war-torn Ukraine being forced to travel between centres in France to get a UK visa has been branded "nonsense" by a Kent MP.

Desperate families attempting to find safe haven and cross the Channel to Kent are being transported from Calais to Lille to have their visas processed.

North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale blasted the government's response to the refugee crisis which is leaving families in limbo as he visited Calais and Lille today.

Sir Roger said: "We know there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people who want to come to England from a warzone in Ukraine.

"They've lost everything, and it needs to be made as easy as possible for them.

"It's quite clear that the Port of Calais is doing everything it can to help. But it seems absolute nonsense that people then have to take the bus back to Lille after travelling half way across Europe.

"Already traumatised, they then have to go back to Lille, to do the biometrics."

The government is planning to open a "pop up" centre in Lille to allow refugees to apply for a visa to enter the UK – 70 miles from Calais.

Earlier this week, the Conservative accused the government of misleading parliament when it said a processing centre had opened in Lille.

Home Secretary Priti Patel was forced to clarify remarks she made to MPs that a "visa application centre has now been set up en-route to Calais" and the government later confirmed one had not yet been opened.

Sir Roger responded saying it was untrue and that "under any normal administration that in itself would be a resignation matter".

He today welcomed an announcement by Ms Patel that visa rules would be relaxed for Ukrainians with family in Britain.

People will be able to apply for visas online without having to attend a centre if they already have family in the UK.

That system will come into effect from Tuesday meaning there could be hundreds more people affected by the chaotic system currently in place.

The situation has given rise to concerns of further people smuggling routes being opened – something which has been affecting the Kent coastline with people landing on beaches in small boats from France.

"People smuggling has always been a problem on the north Kent coast," said Sir Roger.

"But worries over that is not a reason for sending a lot of people all the way back to Lille, to process them. I don't believe it.

"The Port has said they can make the facilities available here, so why aren't we using them?

"It can be done here in Calais, or when these people reach the United Kingdom."