
From the air it appears as an urban sprawl, fanning in all directions, gobbling up every available scrap of land.

With its schools, theatre, nightclub, shops and restaurants, the migrants’ camp known as the Jungle has now become a thriving Calais suburb, albeit a ramshackle one.

As our aerial pictures show, the camp on the edge of the French port has expanded beyond recognition in six months.

Last summer it was home to about 3,000 people awaiting their chance of a new life across the Channel in the UK. Now its population, made up of 22 nationalities, edges towards 7,000. But while there are some vestiges of basic infrastructure, conditions in the camp remain dangerous and unsanitary.

Changed beyond recognition: With its schools, theatre, nightclub, shops and restaurants, the migrants’ camp known as the Jungle has now become a thriving Calais suburb, albeit a ramshackle one. Its population, made up of 22 nationalities, is edging towards 7,000

Framed by a motorway, scrubland and the sea, the settlement appears to be inching closer to land near homes on the shoreline as it demands ever-more space. This week, with thousands of Syrian migrants massing on the Turkish border having fled the bombardment of Aleppo, there are fears the settlement will soon swell further.

This image of the scene just 20 miles from Dover brings into sharp perspective the problem facing David Cameron, who last week made the ‘emergency brake’ – allowing Britain to phase in benefits for new migrants over four years – the centrepiece of the EU reform deal.

There have been warnings that thousands of Calais migrants would claim asylum in Britain if the referendum results in the country leaving Europe.

Meanwhile attempts are still being made by some to jump on moving trains bound for England at the nearby Eurotunnel terminal.

Improved security has made it more difficult for migrants to stow away, so they have turned to people smugglers who take them to other ports in France or Belgium.

Six months ago: Last summer it was home to about 3,000 people awaiting their chance of a new life across the Channel in the UK (pictured)

Framed by a motorway, scrubland and the sea, the settlement (pictured this week) appears to be inching closer to land near homes on the shoreline as it demands ever-more space. There are fears the settlement will soon swell further

Much is being done to persuade the inhabitants to stay put. Just to the left of the centre of the picture is the domed theatre where players from the Globe in London performed Hamlet last month.

At the right of the picture can be seen the complex of 125 container units to house 1,500 people. The units have not proved the draw the French government expected: registration is mandatory for those wanting to live in them, but many migrants fear that registering will prevent them moving to the UK.

For now the Jungle is relatively peaceful but it takes little for tensions to escalate, as a gunfight last month at a camp at Grande- Synthe near Dunkirk demonstrated.

Five people were taken to hospital – three with bullet wounds, one with stab wounds and another who was hit over the head with a stick – during a battle between rival Muslim and Christian people-smuggling gangs vying for trade.

Four migrants were rescued yesterday as they tried to cross the Channel in an inflatable dinghy from Dunkirk. They were found suffering from hypothermia by rescuers three miles off the French coast.

Much is being done to persuade the inhabitants to stay put. Just to the left of the centre of the picture is the domed theatre where players from the Globe in London performed Hamlet last month (pictured)

There is a complex of 125 container units to house 1,500 people. The units have not proved the draw the French government expected