Twenty six people including eight children picked up after crossing Channel

Two boats carrying twenty six migrants- including eight children- have been intercepted off the Kent coast.

Officials were alerted to the first vessel in the early hours of this morning.

It was intercepted by Two Border Force cutters and a Dover RNLI Lifeboat.

Those on board were transferred to the lifeboat. A group of 14 people, made up of three men, three women and eight children, were brought to Dover.

Of those on board, ten presented themselves as Iraqi nationals and four as Iranian.

A second small boat was intercepted by Border Force CPV (Coastal Patrol Vessel) Hunter.

Of the 12 men on board, 11 presented themselves as Iranian nationals and one as Iraqi.

All on board were transferred to Dover, medically assessed and have now been transferred for interview by immigration enforcement officers.

Two children were among 16 illegal immigrants intercepted in the Channel on Saturday.