The face of a Syrian refugee who arrived in Britain thanks to a people smuggler and now works in the NHS has been beamed on to the White Cliffs of Dover.

Hassan Akkad, an NHS cleaner, recalled his own "terrifying" journey to the UK in an emotional plea for compassion for migrants crossing the English Channel.

In a video projected on to the cliffs, he said: "Hello everyone. Apologies for taking over the cliff but I have a few words that I would love to share with you.

"My name is Hassan and five years ago I was on the other side of this Channel trying to cross here. These cliffs were actually visible from our makeshift camp and they represented hope."

Like many migrants arriving on the Kent coast in recent weeks, Mr Akkad said that he had to put his trust in a people smuggler because safe and legal asylum routes are unavailable.

He continued: "Crossing the sea in a rubber dinghy is terrifying and devastating.

"Devastating because it makes you feel so helpless and insignificant. And I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

Nearly 5,000 migrants have successfully crossed to the UK in small boats this year, according to the PA news agency, but Mr Akkad said Britain was "not facing a migrant crisis".

He accused ministers of exploiting the issue for their own ends, saying: "I will say it again - they are using us to distract you from how badly they have managed during this pandemic."

"The past few months have proved that the people who made Britain their home didn't hesitate to roll up their sleeves and keep this country running during the worst public health crisis in modern history," he added.

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The projection on to the landmark was organised by Led By Donkeys, a group of activists famed for billboards displaying politicians' tweets.

It came as French prosecutors continued to investigate the death of a Sudanese migrant whose body was found on a beach in Calais earlier this week.

He has now been identified as Abdulfatah Hamdallah, who is understood to have decided to try to reach the UK using shovels for oars after having his asylum claim rejected in France.

The 28-year-old's body was discovered on Wednesday morning after a walker found his friend suffering from hypothermia in the middle of the night. A major search took place before his body was found at 8am.

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Syrian refugee who crossed Channel and now works in NHS recalls 'terrifying' journey in message projected on to White Cliffs of Dover - Sky News