Migrants at Calais Storm P&O Ferry in Attempt to Get to Britain

Hundreds of migrants tried to storm a ferry at Calais in a desperate attempt to get to Britain - but their attempts were thwarted when the vessel's crew raised the ramp and turned a fire hose on them.

The attempt came just days after the Mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, threatened to shut down the port unless the UK dealt with the rising number of migrants flocking there.

Footage released on YouTube shows scores of migrants being chased away by armed police.

Around 85 migrants forced their way through a gate and climbed over the fences, leaving security powerless, officials told the BBC. But they were prevented from accessing the ferry when the crew raised the ramp.

In a separate attempt, 150 migrants accessed the port entrances but were foiled when police arrived to detain them.

'I could bring pressure to bear'

On Tuesday, Bouchart warned Britain she would block the port if Britain failed to take action.

"I could take the decision to block the port ... I could bring pressure to bear," Bouchart told reporters in Paris.

"It would be illegal. But today I want to make a strong gesture towards the British."

She is calling on the UK government to help finance the €10m (£8m) security costs at the Calais Port and has proposed to build a new Sangatte Centre. The controversial camp was closed in 2002 – leaving unsanitary and illegal camps to be set up in its place.

Speaking to the Dover Express, MP Charlie Elphicke said: "I don't think the right answer is a new Sangatte. I think a blockade is barmy and the French authorities need to get a grip."