About 2,000 migrants tried to storm through Eurotunnel's French terminal last night, according to the company.

The migrants tried to break through the terminal's security fence, causing some services to be cancelled or delayed.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said: "It was the freight terminal and there was some damage to our fences - which we'll have to repair - as they tried to board shuttles.

"Fortunately, there wasn't any damage to shuttles. Unfortunately, a number of people were injured."

Migrants disrupting the terminal in Coquelles, not far from Calais, has become a regular occurrence.

Some 5,000 people, mostly from Africa and the Middle East, have set up camp around the area. From there, they often try to board trains, lorries or ferries to the UK.

In recent weeks, they have tried to take advantage of disruptions caused by industrial action by French port workers.

The situation has prompted Eurotunnel to bolster security on both sides of the Channel, a cost it wants the UK and French governments to pay for.

The Eurotunnel spokesman said the migrant activity was becoming "an almost nightly occurrence".

"This is an issue that is a really for the Government to sort out," he said.

"We need them to stop the migrant flow from Calais but it appears to be too much for them to handle."

The company on Tuesday advised anyone planning a day-trip to France via its passenger service to postpone their travel because of long delays.