Theresa May pledges extra £44 million for Channel border security in press conference with Emmanuel Macron

Theresa May pledged tens of millions of pounds to strengthen Britain’s border controls in France as she met with Emmanuel Macron.

The Prime Minister said the £44.5 million cash injection would go towards fencing, CCTV and detection technology in Calais and other ports along the Channel.

Mrs May spoke in French to welcome Mr Macron to the UK during a press conference on Thursday evening.

She said that Britain and France enjoyed a "uniquely close relationship between two of the world's oldest and greatest democracies".

She went on to say the UK-France trade relationship "continues to thrive following the vote to leave the EU".

She said Airbus, which has plants in both France and the UK, had signed a "multi-billion pound deal to provide Emirates Airlines with 36 A380 passenger aircraft".

Parts for those planes would be built in both countries "providing a boost to both our economies".

Confirming the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry she said: "Our shared history will also be reflected in the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK in 2022, the first time it will be on British soil in more than 900 years.

"The loan of the tapestry will form part of a wider cultural exchange taking place between Britain and France over the next four years.

"I'm honoured at the loan of such a precious piece of our shared history which yet again underscores the closeness of our relationship."

In an apparent reference to Brexit, Mr Macron said "our history and our geography cannot be impacted by changes in the institutions".

He added: "We are facing common challenges and we are sharing the same destiny."

The French president went on to say he hoped the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry would help forge cultural and scientific links.

"We are making a new tapestry together," he said.

On Brexit, Mr Macron said: "I very much respect the decision made, the choice made by the British people even though I regret it."

But he said the Brexit negotiations would not damage the relationship between the UK and France although it will "bring about some uncertainty in the short term".

"Brexit will never prevent a very high level of co-operation between our two countries."

Mrs May defended the decision to commit extra resources to Calais.

"What we are doing is working with the French authorities and providing support to ensure that we enhance the security of our border.

"This is in our national interests, it is also in the interests of France to ensure that we have as secure a border as possible at Calais and other ports."

Additional reporting by the Press Association