At least two people have been killed during a mass attempt by migrants to get into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.

Officials in Ceuta said the migrants were crushed to death as hundreds tried to cross the border fence from Morocco.

Spanish officials have denied reports that police opened fire on the crowd.

Earlier this week hundreds of migrants crossed into nearby Melilla - another Spanish enclave seen as a way into Europe by the mostly African migrants.

More than 40 people, including policemen, have been injured in recent mass assaults. Three would-be immigrants have died since August.

Many migrants are caught and many drown while attempting to make the sea crossing to enter Spain illegally.

'Military tactics'

"We have confirmed two dead. The removal of the bodies was organised by the judge," the head of the Ceuta administration, Jeronimo Nieto Gonzales, told Spain's radio Cadena Ser.