Seven inflatable dinghies are intercepted and escorted to UK in one day

More than 200 migrants arrived in Dover yesterday (Friday), after seven inflatable dinghies were intercepted in the Channel and escorted to the UK.

The dinghies - which hold between 40 and 50 people on average - were escorted into Dover, Kent, by Border Force officials and the RNLI.

The first three groups were bought into the harbour early Friday morning amid calm weather conditions - with low winds and clear skies forecast for today.

A fourth dingy was escorted into the harbour on Border Force cutter Typhoon at around 11.30am. The mostly male group could be seen wearing orange lifejackets, with white blankets draped over their shoulders as they left the boat.

The latest arrivals were rescued by an RNLI lifeboat and brought into the port shortly before midday.

It comes after 172 migrants, dangerously crammed into just three dinghies, were picked up on Thursday - with an average of 57 people in each inflatable.

According to official government figures, 1,669 asylum seekers have made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits so far in June.

This brings the total number of Channel crossings so far this year to 9,328 in 211 boats - an average of 44 people per vessel.