Suspected migrants picked up in Channel near Dover

Seven suspected migrants in a boat in the English Channel off Dover put out a rescue call in the early hours.

The men aged between 19 and 54 said they were Iranian. They were found in a small dinghy by Border Force officers, the Home Office said.

Assisted by a coastguard crew who were called out at 02:20 GMT, the group was brought ashore.

Following medical assessments they were interviewed by immigration officials.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Their cases will be dealt with according to the immigration rules."

The Home Office said the alarm was raised by those on board.

"The weather conditions at the time were moderate, although the vessel was unsuitable for such a crossing," a spokesman said.

No-one in the group had required medical treatment, it was later confirmed.