Battle of Calais as mob of 300 block trucks

HUNDREDS of rioting migrants staged a desperate attempt to reach Britain while shouting “‘ **** the UK”.

The 300-strong mob brought traffic to a standstill on the motorway leading to the Port of Calais and tried to clamber on trucks and lorries.

Riot police used tear gas as refugees holed up in the “Jungle” camp nearby blocked the road and threw rocks.

They took advantage of gridlock caused by fans heading to Saint-Etienne for England’s Euro 2016 match against Slovakia and those returning from the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Police, already on heightened terrorism alert, were forced to intervene on Monday night to prevent gangs storming Dover-bound ferries.

Debris littered the road and horrified British motorists described the scene as a “battleground”. Pictures showed how the mob had cut through fencing paidasto ferry beefingpart for of by a up the £63millionsecurityBritish governmentat contributionthe terminal.

protests Exactly costa year the ago transport strikes industryand an estimated £21million.

Freight Transport Association deputy chief executive James Hookham said: “This can’t be allowed to happen again. The Port of Calais handles £89billion of UK trade every year – it’s a vital route that must be protected.” Up to 7,000 refugees are thought to be living in a makeshift camp in Calais. Warmer weather has stoked fears of a fresh surge from the Mediterranean. A Daily Express investigation revealed that 20,000 migrants are waiting along the coast to cross the Channel from northern France.

Pictures: JEAN PIERRE BRUNET/PHOTOSHOT, CALAIS LIBRE

Migrants block the road to the port to stop a truck, then try to break into the cab before clambering on to the roof as they seek a ‘backdoor’ route into Britain

A police officer grapples with a migrant trying to board a lorry

Debris strewn across the road near the Port of Calais after battles with migrants