The first batch of Hungary's 'border hunters' have been sworn in before they get to work patrolling a razor-wire fence built to keep migrants out.

Members of the border protection officers' new unit attended their swearing-in ceremony in Budapest today, and will undergo six months of training before they go on duty.

The new recruits will support Hungarian police officers and soldiers in border protection, and will be equipped with pistols with live ammunition, pepper spray, batons, handcuffs and protective kit.

Hungarian police were looking to recruit 3,000 of the 'border hunters' who will reinforce up to 10,000 police and soldiers.

New border protection officers attend their swearing-in ceremony in Budapest

The new recruits will support Hungarian police officers and soldiers in border protection

They will work alongside police and soldiers in patrolling a razor-wire fence built to keep migrants out

They are due to start work in May, and will be paid 150,000 forint (£424) for the first two months, rising to 220,300 forint (£622.50).

Those eligible to sign up must be over 18, physically fit and must pass a psychological test, police officer Zsolt Pozsgai told Hungarian state television in September.

The razor-wire fence the new recruits will be patrolling runs the entire length of Hungary's borders with Serbia and Croatia, where hundreds of thousands of migrants have crossed during the refugee crisis.

The border officers will be equipped with pistols with live ammunition, pepper spray, batons, handcuffs and protective kit

Those eligible to sign up must be over 18, physically fit and must pass a psychological test

The razor-wire fence runs the entire length of Hungary's borders with Serbia and Croatia

The fence has been credited with sharply reducing numbers of migrants coming into the country, although footage has shown refugees attempting to climb or crawl under it.

In a referendum in October more than 98 per cent of participants supported Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's proposals to shut the country's doors to refugees and reject any EU plans to introduce quotas among its member countries.

However, more than half of the electorate failed to vote, rendering the process constitutionally null and void.