More than 800 people cross Channel in dinghies, breaking record for December

Saturday's arrivals were the most on a single day in December and take the annual total to 41,455

More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for a day in December, according to the Home Office.

December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, as a combination of low temperatures and stormy weather makes the journey particularly difficult. Poor visibility and less daylight have also been cited as factors influencing the crossings.