Britain is preparing to fight plans to force EU states to take their "fair" share of migrants coming to Europe and attempting to seek asylum, Skynews reported.

Brussels is planning to employ emergency mechanisms to deal with the large number of people entering the bloc, according to The Times.

The proposal has been drawn up by the European Commission in response to the deadly people trafficking from Libya which has seen hundreds drown off the coast of Italy.

It is believed the UK could be compelled to take in at least twice the current 30,000 who seek asylum in Britain each year.

It would put it on a par with the numbers taken in by France and Italy.

Many of those who cross into Europe from Africa or from Turkey seek asylum as refugees, saying they come from countries affected by war or other crises.

The Times said all 28 member states would be obliged to make a "fair and balanced contribution" by taking in "persons in clear need of international protection".

It will involve Europe putting in place a "mandatory and automatically-triggered relocation system".

The Home Office responded by saying that any attempt to impose non-voluntary quota would be resisted.