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French police fired tear gas and water cannon on British protesters defending migrants in Calais as authorities prepare to shut down the so-called “Jungle” camp.

Demonstrators waving Union Jacks were among those caught up in the disturbance as they defied a ban by officials to protest on Saturday.

The protesters, including British activists, say they are expressing solidarity with the migrants, who face imminent expulsion from the camp.

Around 300 people came in by bus from other cities, and were met by police, who used tear gas to disperse them and keep them from marching into the city centre.

They chanted demands to be allowed access through the Channel Tunnel to Britain, according to La Voix Du Nord.

The newspaper added protesters hurled stones at police as tensions boiled over which prompted officers to fire tear gas and water cannon in response.

Four people were reportedly injured in the clashes which lasted about half-an-hour.

French president Francois Hollande has pledged to close the Calais camp by the end of the year and transfer thousands of migrants around France while their asylum cases are examined.