London-bound migrant 'solidarity' march leaves Italian border town

A "solidarity" march in support of migrants left the Italian border town of Ventimiglia on Monday, marking the start of a 1,400 kilometre journey across France to the northern port city of Calais and then on to London.

Linking two symbolic flashpoints of Europe’s migrant crisis, the two-month-long treck is organized by French charity L’Auberge des migrants and supported by numerous NGOs including Emmaus and ATTAC.

Scores of people are expected to take part in the 60 stages of the procession, which aims to raise awareness of the plight of migrants and collect funds to help them.