Nine firearms, including two AK47-style machine guns, have been seized.

They were found late last Friday when Border Force officers officers stopped a Polish-registered lorry arriving at Dover Eastern Docks.

The vehicle was searched and they spotted the firearms within the load of soft furnishings and clothing.

Around 10kg of ammunition, several hundred bullets, were also found and the investigation was passed to the National Crime Agency.

A Polish national was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the importation of a firearm and later released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Following the joint operation Mark Harding from the NCA said: "I've no doubt this haul of weapons was destined for the criminal marketplace. Stopping them reaching that marketplace has protected the public. "The weapons, which included a loaded Skorpion sub-machine gun and two AK47-type rifles, will now be sent for further forensic analysis

" Our investigation continues."

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe said: “We are determined to prevent potentially deadly weapons such as these from reaching the UK’s streets.

“As well as making physical checks on arriving vehicles and cargo, Border Force works with their fellow law enforcement partners, like the National Crime Agency (NCA), to detect and stop dangerous weapons at the border.

"Our work led to the seizure of more than 10,000 offensive weapons last year.”