The Sangatte refugee camp in northern France closed in 2002

A centre offering food, showers and information for rough sleepers in Calais could be open within months.

Ashford MP Damian Green said: "Anything that encourages the reopening of something that will effectively be Sangatte 2 is a very bad move."

A spokesman for the Mayor of Calais said it was not an asylum centre and people would not be sleeping there.

The Sangatte refugee camp in northern France closed in December 2002 after a deal was struck between the British and French governments.

They are human beings, so they should be treated like human beings Jacky Verhaegen

The controversial camp was attacked by British politicians as a haven for people-smugglers and a base for illegal entry into the UK.

Illegal immigrants regularly made the short walk from Sangatte to the nearby Channel Tunnel entrance in a bid to jump on to slow-moving trains bound for the UK.

The Calais mayor's spokesman, Denis Duvot, said: "It won't be like Sangatte because people won't be allowed to sleep there.

"It won't be an asylum centre, it's a place where they can go for information, not to sleep."

'Irresponsible and stupid'

And Jacky Verhaegen, a charity worker, said: "They are human beings, so they should be treated like human beings by giving them showers and a little bit of food, just to make them survive."

But Mr Green said: "It's clearly bad for Britain.

"I think this is an irresponsible and stupid thing for the Mayor of Calais to do."

It is thought there are currently about 400 rough sleepers from abroad living in Calais.

Discussions were taking place in Calais on Wednesday about plans to open the centre.