Migrants: Young children 'among those brought to Dover'

Children were among those pictured aboard a Border Force vessel in Dover

Young children are believed to have been on board boatloads of migrants picked up off the coast of Kent.

Pictures show Border Force officers lifting children out of boats at the Port of Dover.

The coastguard has been co-ordinating the response following reports that up to 20 vessels have attempted to cross the English Channel.

More than 2,900 people have reached the UK in about 220 small boats this year, according to BBC research.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it had dealt with "a significant number of incidents off Kent, working with Border Force and other partners".

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

It has previously said that it no longer discloses the numbers of child migrants arriving on small boats.

More than 2,500 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats since lockdown began