Another 67 migrants arrive in England on Christmas Day

Dozens of migrants arrived in England after attempting to make the journey across the English Channel in the early hours of Christmas Day. 

A total of 67 people, including women and children, were taken in by UK authorities shortly before 1.30am in Dover, Kent, following an incident with two small boats at sea. 

French authorities also intercepted a third boat, although it is not known how many people the vessel was carrying.   

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove, said people should not be trying to cross the Channel, and instead should be claiming asylum in the first safe country they reach.

He claimed the Government was reforming its approach to people making the dangerous crossing through the Nationality and Borders Bill.

It came after a further group of 35 people were seen being brought to safety by Border Force, also in Dover, at around 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, having been rescued from a small dinghy.