Hundreds of far-right protesters demonstrate against migrants as tensions rise in Calais

Riot police were forced to separate the protests after left-wing demonstrators attempted to disrupt the rally

French police and demonstrators eye one another yesterday in Calais (AP)

Hundreds of far-right demonstrators rallied yesterday in Calais to demand the port city be “saved” from homeless migrants, as tensions continued to escalate.

The ‘Save Calais’ demonstration clashed with left-wing supporters as around 300 French riot police were called in to maintain peace, putting more pressure on Calais’ authorities already struggling to cope with increasing numbers of migrants.

Last week mayor Natacha Bouchart threatened to close the port – an illegal act – in a bid to pressure Britain into offering additional help.

Calais’ centre-right mayor Bouchart, who complained the influx of migrants were ruining the town’s image and draining resources from local residents, also said the migrants view Britain as “El Dorado”.

A video captured last week appeared to show around 100 migrants breaking through security measures in an attempt to board a ferry bound for Britain.

This morning Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented: “This situation is turning into a crisis and the Government needs to do more”.

In an effort to contain the migrants, the 9ft-high steel fences used at the recent Nato summit are being sent to Calais to help French authorities.

A man hold a banner which reads "Migrants equal insecurity, unhealthiness and economic disaster" in Calais (AP)

Immigration minister James Brokenshire said the fence, labelled the ‘iron ring’, would remind migrants that Britain is “no soft touch”.

But last week Michael Howard claimed Bouchart was “directing her frustration and her anger at the wrong target".

Speaking on the Today programme, Lord Howard said that while he did have “some sympathy” with Calais, France should be ‘taking more seriously its obligation to process asylum seekers’.

The tensions come at a time of rising extremism within France.

A recent poll, published in the Financial Times, showed Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front, would beat struggling incumbent president Hollande were France to go to the polling station.

The next French election is in 2017.