In pictures: Calais migrants cleared from camps

Eritrean migrants rest under blankets in the courtyard at a food distribution centre after they fled their makeshift camp to find shelter in Calais — Image caption,
Police in the northern French city of Calais are expelling about 800 migrants from Asia, the Middle East and Africa who are occupying camps near the port in the hope of getting to Britain.

An Afghan migrant carries his belongings protected in plastic bags as he flees his makeshift shelter at the harbour in Calais

Several of the migrants moved on voluntarily when they were confronted by busloads of riot police who surrounded their camps.

Police went into the camps in Calais early on Wednesday

There was widespread confusion as police fanned out in the three camps.

An African migrant shelters from heavy rain under a a bag during the daily food distribution at the harbour in Calais

The port of Calais has been the gateway for Afghans and other migrants attempting to reach Britain for years.

A man walks through a makeshift camp set up by migrants in Calais

Confusion over the removal process is widespread, correspondents say, especially at the larger camps housing mainly Syrian and Afghan exiles because they have nowhere else to go.

A migrant through a camp of makeshift shelters at the harbour in Calais

Some of the illegal settlements lie just a few hundred metres from where the big ferries take hundreds of passengers back and forth between France and the UK.

Migrants stand next to tents at their makeshift camp set up on a bank in Calais

Local people complain that the presence of the migrants is causing resentment because they are highly visible and end up getting stuck in Calais as they try to gain entry to Britain.

An African migrant holds medicine against scabies during the daily food distribution at the harbour in Calais

The authorities say the expulsions are necessary to prevent an outbreak of scabies in the camps. Some migrants have received tablets to treat the contagious skin condition.

A migrant protects himself from the rain in the middle of makeshift shelters at the harbour in Calais

Home for many of the migrants is a filthy camp of plastic bags and sheets on a disused railway line, without water, power or even enough food.

Migrants try to shelter from heavy rain during the daily food distribution at the harbour in Calais

Many of the migrants are desperate and frustrated, surviving on barely one meal a day, mainly pasta, provided by local aid groups.

An Afghan migrant sits at the entry of a tent camp of makeshift shelters on the harbour in Calais

Numerous illegal camps have appeared in the Calais area since the French authorities closed down the infamous nearby Sangatte immigrant detention centre in 2002.

An Eritrean migrant walks past a police officer during the daily food distribution at the harbour in Calais

Immigration and border controls were key issues for many countries - including France and Britain - during last week's European Parliament elections, which saw right wing anti-immigration candidates score significant victories.