Some 711 people were detected crossing the English Channel on Wednesday, the highest number on a single day so far this year, the Home Office has said.

The total number of small boat arrivals now stands at a provisional total of 8,278 this year alone.

This is 34 per cent higher than the total at the same time in 2023, which was 6,192, and 19 per cent higher than the total at this stage in 2022, which was 6,945.

Some 14 boats were detected by officials on Wednesday - which suggests an average of around 51 migrants per boat.

More to follow...