A trade union has claimed offshore workers could fill the gaps in the under-resourced UK border force.

Nautilus International, a trade union for maritime professionals, said the UK Government should be looking at the thousands of North Sea oil and gas workers who have been made redundant in the wake of the oil price decline.

Nautilus General Secretary Mark Dickinson said: “Nautilus is calling on the government to look to the thousands of offshore workers who have been made redundant and the hundreds of supply boats which are without work.

“These vessels with their British seafarers could be immediately chartered by the government to strengthen our coastal security, thereby boosting the Border Force in this time of need and giving valuable work to those who need it.”