Connaught Barracks have been largely empty since the parachute regiment pulled out of Dover in April.

Paul Watkins, leader of Dover District Council, said: "This being dumped on Dover will not go down well."

The Home Office would not confirm it was planning a prison for the site but it said it was keeping options open.

It added: "We are constantly engaged in identifying ways of expanding capacity."

'People outraged'

A source said the Home Office was keen to acquire the site by December.

Dover District Council said the government would not need planning permission to convert it to a prison because it was a military site.

"The people of Dover will be outraged at a time when Dover's going through a period of regeneration," Mr Watkins added.