CALL FOR UK TO TAKE IN REFUGEE CHILDREN.

THE makeshift homes of more than 100 Afghan children were razed to the ground last night as calls were made for Britain to take in some of the youngsters forced from the Jungle immigrant camp in Calais.

The shanty village, where some have lived for eight months, was reduced to a dusty wasteland following a swoop by French police.

But refugee groups have condemned the operation in which up to 600 officers surrounded the site, leading to angry scenes.

French authorities said 278 people were held by police - including 132 who declared themselves children.

Later, bulldozers and tree surgeons moved in to clear the area.

Gemma Juma, policy manager at the Refugee Council, branded the camp conditions as shameful.

"We've always been concerned about the vulnerability of the people living in hideous conditions," she said. "We need to make sure all of those children are safe and properly looked after. If this means, in a small number of cases, bringing them to the UK to be reunited with friends and family then, as an option, that shouldn't be ruled out."

Dozens of protesters had also gathered at the site ahead of the operation and chanted "shame on France" as police moved in.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson praised the "swift and decisive" clearing of the site. But he said genuine refugees should apply for asylum in the country where they entered the EU.

CAPTION(S):

RUTHLESS French police carry an Afghan man out of the 'jungle' immigrant camp in Calais yesterday.