Nigel Farage warned of a “battle for the future of our civilisation” after thousands of migrants stormed into a Spanish enclave. Huge groups of people swam into the territory of Ceuta, while others used inflatable boats to land in Tarajal.

And video showed crowds of people, mainly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters at Tarajal beach onto local roads in the Spanish North African enclave, along with pictures of migrants celebrating their safe arrival. Others climbed over walls and security fences while many more stormed through a gate, creating a huge crisis for the Spanish Government. Rachid Sbihi, head of the association that represents Spain’s Guardia Civil in Ceuta, said: “The situation is absolute chaos.

“It’s not possible to give precise numbers, but there are thousands of migrants crossing,” he said, adding that the border had “totally collapsed.”

And Mr Farage warned many could attempt to reach Calais and cross the English Channel. Spain said on Thursday it would deploy troops to its North African enclave of Ceuta to reinforce security after hundreds of migrants arrived, with some swimming around the border fence to reach the territory.

But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned many could now try to reach Britain. He said: “It’s time to wake up everybody“Tens of thousands, maybe more, breaking into that little part of Spain, the authorities seemingly powerless to act.

“Yes, of course, they have declared a state of emergency, but bear this in mind, earlier this year, Spain gave an amnesty to half a million people who had illegally got into the country.

“The messages from Spain are clear – come in, and you will be allowed to stay. Some of you may remember a poster I put out 10 years ago called Breaking Point, where I showed vast numbers illegally breaking into the European Union.

“I made the point that if you voted for Brexit, we will have the power to stop those people coming here. Sadly, the Tories failed us and Labour have failed us.

“Unless we get a Reform Government, those scenes you are seeing in Spain today – many of those young men, lots of them dangerous, will be heading towards Calais and coming to our country.

“This is a battle for the future of our civilisation. I can’t put it any more plainly than that.”

Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said: “Thousands of migrants are invading Spanish territory. Many will now make their way to enjoy Britain’s welfare state. We must secure our borders. It’s Reform or bust.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged an “immediate response.” Spain’s Interior Ministry said later on Thursday that its armed forces would send personnel to Ceuta to support the border guards.

“The Armed Forces will reinforce the Guardia Civil in the exercise of its powers and any others that may be necessary to maintain civil security in the city of Ceuta,” the ministry said.