Hundreds of child asylum seekers in Calais expecting to come to Britain have been told that their claims have been rejected by the Home Office, it has been reported.

An estimated 1,900 children and teenagers are living in camps in Calais, while awaiting asylum to live in the UK. 750 have been brought to the UK, but the others have not been granted or approved for transfer. It is alleged that hundreds have now been told their applications to live in the UK have been rejected.

Toufique Hossain, director of public law at Duncan Lewis solicitors, represents a number of the children and told The Guardian that more than a dozen of children he represents had been told their applications have been rejected.

He said: “From the reports we have received it seems as if this is an organised operation between the Home Office and the French authorities. The children have been told verbally that their asylum claims have not succeeded, but they have not been given any reasons why in writing. This is absolutely shocking.”

Mr Hossain added: “The children are very upset but we are telling them not to run away.”

Charity and aid workers have expressed concern about the welfare and safety of children left in Calais. Many have been forced to flee their home countries due to war and persecution and are experiencing trauma.

A considerable number are unaccompanied minors, meaning that they are not travelling with a parent or guardian- prompting further fears for their safety.

In October, following demolition of the 'Jungle' camp in Calais, volunteers based there told The Independent the area has become "like Lord of the Flies" as children try to survive difficult conditions. They described working "round the clock" to deliver water, food and blankets to the children as the winter weather sets in.

Calais refugee camp evacuation Show all 15 1 /15 Calais refugee camp evacuation Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees run past a fire in the makeshift migrant camp known as 'the jungle' in Calais, October 2016 AP Calais refugee camp evacuation French authorities say the closure of the slum-like camp in Calais will last approximately a week in what they describe as a "humanitarian" operation, October 2016 AP Calais refugee camp evacuation A painted message saying 'Bye Jungle' on a tent in the camp in Calais, October 2016 Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees set rubbish bins alight as a protest in the makeshift camp 'the Jungle' in Calais, France, October 2016 EPA Calais refugee camp evacuation French riot police advance through tear gas and smoke from a fire to disperse refugees throwing stones and lighting fires at the Jungle migrant camp Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation French CRS riot police secure an area on the eve of the evacuation and transfer of refugees to reception centers in France Reuters Calais refugee camp evacuation Journalists run away from smoke during clashes near a makeshift refugee camp known as 'the jungle' in Calais AP Calais refugee camp evacuation French CRS riot police secure an area on the eve of the evacuation and transfer of refugees to reception centers in Franc Reuters Calais refugee camp evacuation Migrants queue for transportation by bus to reception centres across France, from the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees line-up to register at a processing centre in the 'jungle' near Calais, northern France, as the mass exodus from the migrant camp begins PA wire Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation French far-right Front National (FN) party's member of parliament Marion Marechal-Le Pen (L) delivers a speech next to a banner reading "They arrive in Vaucluse, no migrants in our place" as she attends a rally against the hosting of refugees in La Tour d'Aigues Getty Images Calais refugee camp evacuation French police forces secure the area near the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees carry their belongings and transfer to reception centers in France

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “We have been working with the French authorities to bring children eligible to come here and more than 750 children have arrived so far. We are working closely with the French authorities to ensure the remaining children in their care are provided with information on how to claim asylum in France.