Belgium has reintroduced border controls with France to halt the arrival of migrants from the Calais 'Jungle' camp in a new blow to the EU's passport-free travel zone.

The move came as a French judge delayed a ruling on the demolition of the refugee camp just hours before a deadline for residents to be evicted.

Referring to the 26-country borderless area, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said: 'We have informed the European Commission that we will temporarily depart from Schengen rules.'

Earlier, thousands of migrants faced having their homes demolished after being given until 8pm local time (7pm GMT) today to quit their makeshift homes or face bulldozers being sent in.

But a source in the court in the northern city of Lille said the decision had been pushed back, adding that a ruling was not expected until Wednesday or Thursday.

Fighting eviction: Migrants watch French officials tour the 'Jungle' migrant camp in Calais as a French court considers whether to grant a last-minute reprieve to thousands of refugees who have been given until 8pm local time (7pm GMT) today to quit their makeshift homes or face bulldozers being sent in

Praying for good news: Refugee organisations are pinning their hopes on a court hearing due to take place in Lille this afternoon after challenging the eviction order

Emotions were running high this morning as a deadline loomed for the destruction of half the 'Jungle' migrant camp in Calais, with migrants refusing or unable to move.

John, a 28-year-old Sudanese migrant, said: 'I don't have anywhere else to go.

'We don't want to leave Calais because we don't want to get further away from England, which is still our goal.'

Refugee organisations are pinning their hopes on a court hearing due to take place in Lille this afternoon after challenging the eviction order.

A French judge and other officials visited the camp earlier today to see conditions for themselves before making a ruling on whether the eviction should go ahead.

The issue has played into the fraught discussions about Britain's possible exit from the EU, with France under pressure to stop refugees trying to board lorries and ferries to cross the Channel.

Some British opponents of 'Brexit' say they would lose the ability to call on France to stop the flow of refugees if Britain leaves the EU.

Uncertain times: Up to 1,000 people who have fled war, poverty and persecution are reported to be affected by the plans, but aid workers say the figure could be much higher

An elder migrant watches French officials tour the Jungle. The Help Refugees charity said its analysis found there were 3,455 people living in the affected part of the Jungle who faced being evicted from their homes

Up to 1,000 people who have fled war, poverty and persecution are reported to be affected by the plans, but aid workers say the figure could be much higher.

The Help Refugees charity said it carried out its own analysis showing there were 3,455 people living in the affected part of the Jungle who faced being 'evicted from their homes in the midst of winter, without sufficient alternative accommodation on offer'.

A spokeswoman said: 'Our concerns remain with welfare of the unaccompanied minors.

'We have had no assurances from the French authorities that they will conduct assessments to determine best interests of these children and ensure proper safeguarding is in place before removing them from the camp and the communities they know and trust.

'We urge them to delay the demolition of the southern section of the camp until these needs are met... our concerns will be heard at the court in Lille.'

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the eviction would be done 'progressively, by persuasion and with respect for people's dignity'.

Politcal pawns: The issue has played into the fraught discussions about Britain's possible exit from the EU, with France under pressure to stop refugees trying to board lorries and ferries to cross the Channel

Some British opponents of 'Brexit' say they would lose the ability to call on France to stop the flow of refugees

The evicted migrants have been offered heated accommodation in refitted containers set up next door to the Jungle.

But many are reluctant to move there because they lack any communal spaces and movement is restricted.

They have also been offered places in around 100 accommodation centres spread around France.

At the weekend, actor Jude Law and singer Tom Odell were among famous faces who took to the stage at the camp in Calais to raise the plight of refugees.

They were joined by actress Juliet Stevenson and comedian Shappi Khorsandi at the Letters Live event.

It came after 145 celebrities including Idris Elba, Helena Bonham Carter and Benedict Cumberbatch wrote an open letter calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to help save children based there.

They want the Government to step in and allow unaccompanied children living in the camp to be reunited with their families in the UK.

Meanwhile, Eurotunnel has asked the British and French governments to reimburse it £22million (€29m) for lost revenue during the cross-Channel migrant crisis.