Fire hoses have been turned on around 100 illegal immigrants who've tried to force their way onto a ferry at Calais.

Police and port security were overwhelmed as the group forced open a gate and climbed over security fences before running towards the docks.

Ramps to the ferries had to be raised to prevent the men boarding the ships as a larger group of 150 migrants gathered outside the dock entrance.

A video taken at the scene showed the group being chased through the port by police as lorry drivers looked on.

Ferry companies declared the port invasion a "huge intrusion" and ferry company P&O, who had a ferry at the quayside at the time, confirmed it closed all its ship's doors.

Lorry driver Mark Salt, who shot the video, said: "I checked into P&O for the crossing heard a lot of other truckers banging their horns by the border agency check point.

"Then about 80-100 immigrants came into view heading straight for the ramps where a ship was about to dock. P&O staff, port workers and border agency security attempted to coral these guys away from the ramps."

The ship's crew reportedly turned their fire hoses on the men to prevent them boarding the ship. The ferry was delayed for about 45 minutes while it was searched by police and the crew.

It follows reports the town's mayor is considering blockading the port unless the UK does more to deal with the immigration problem there.