I'll shut Sangatte II, promises Sarkozy

France's president-elect has pledged to tear down the "Sangatte II" refugee centre under construction in Calais.

Nicolas Sarkozy, who ordered the closure of the original facility near the Channel port in 2002, has told colleagues: "There will be no new Sangatte while I am president."

There are fears, however, that his move could lead to an influx of refugees to Britain.

Mr Sarkozy viewed the closure of the original Sangatte when he was interior minister as a French victory.

Its demolition was part of a deal which saw the UK take in 1,200 refugees from France, all of them guaranteed jobs, pocket money and free lodgings.

With Mr Sarkozy pledging to double the number of illegal immigrants being thrown out of France, there are concerns that he may force Britain to accept another major influx as the price for demolishing Sangatte II.

Refugees regularly walked from the original Red Cross centre in Sangatte to the nearby Channel

Tunnel entrance to try to jump aboard slow-moving trains or hide on lorries crossing on ferries.

There were also numerous outbreaks of violence involving gangs of so-called "people smugglers" who charged thousands of pounds for an illegal passage to Britain.

Scroll down for more ...

Calais town council last month rubber stamped plans for a "welcome centre" for refugees.

Charities had asked for permission to open six bungalow- style buildings to deal with an estimated 1,500 migrants living in squalid makeshift camps.

But following his election victory last week, Mr Sarkozy said the makeshift buildings already taking shape would be "torn down".

He has warned of a "social explosion" unless immigration is reined in, saying: "Controlling immigration is a prerequisite for safeguarding our social pact. Otherwise it will explode.

"We need to control immigration, dry up its source, in order to be able to integrate those who are here."

Mr Sarkozy, who takes power next week, favours stronger ties with Britain to control migrant numbers.

He discussed the issue at a meeting with Tony Blair in Paris on Friday and has built up a close working relationship with Gordon Brown.

A Home Office spokesman said the numbers caught entering Britain illegally from Calais fell from 10,000 in 2002 to 1,500 last year.

He added: "There have always been humanitarian services for refugees in Calais. There are no plans to establish a new Sangattestyle camp."

• Mr Sarkozy's wife failed to vote in the presidential election, a French newspaper has claimed.

The revelation follows speculation that his marriage to former model Cecilia is a sham.

Both reportedly had affairs last year and the couple were hardly seen together during the election campaign.