POOLE could become a hotspot for illegal immigrants entering the country, it is feared.

Riot police are on standby at the port of Cherbourg in a bid to stop would-be immigrants breaking in to board ferry and freight services bound for Poole, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The situation at the French port is said to be worsening with the formation of makeshift camps, set up by immigrants within easy reach of the docks.

Marie-Therese Chauvin, of Brittany Ferries at Cherbourg, said security fences around the French port had to be repaired every morning, and staff were searching lorries in a bid to stem the rising tide of stowaways - particularly during night sailings.

Now Cherbourg's mayor Bernard Cazeneuve is calling for the temporary camps to be replaced with a centre with proper facilities - an idea reminiscent of the infamous Sangatte Red Cross Camp at Calais which became a magnet for those seeking a better life in Britain. Some 70,000 migrants are thought to have passed though before it was closed in 2002.

But Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said security measures at Poole were robust and he was not aware of an increased problem this side of the Channel.

He added: "Our understanding is that they would like to position this camp some 50 or 60 miles away from Cherbourg in order to deter potential illegals from using the port."

He added: "I understand the port of Cherbourg is taking this issue very seriously."

The harbour commissioners work closely with Immigration Services and Customs and Excise.

Stephen Tuckwell, UK spokesman for Brittany Ferries, said it used CO2 detectors to unearth people hiding the back of lorries and hauliers were under obligation to make checks themselves.

He added all passports were now swiped under tighter security measures introduced at UK ports this summer.

He said: "I don't think the problem has got any worse. On average we encounter one illegal immigrant a day - that is one too many to some people. We are working closely with both the French and British authorities to overcome this."

Liam Byrne, minister of state for borders and immigration, said: "French ministers have been crystal clear with me that they oppose any and all accommodation centres that would attract illegal immigrants and the traffickers who prey on them.