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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."

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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.