Two people have been charged after allegedly trying to smuggle 79 guns and ammunition into Kent via the Channel Tunnel.

The weapons were discovered hidden inside adapted engine blocks by border officers at Coquelles, France.

Investigations led authorities to believe the "importation of firearms was imminent" and the 4mm and 6mm firearms were found before the vehicle reached the tunnel.

The operation was carried out by the Border Force after an investigation between the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police.

A yellow Mercedes van, was stopped on Saturday with seven people inside - including 59-year-old Janusz Michek, from Poland, who was arrested and has now been charged with alleged firearms offences.

The other six people were released without charge - four women aged 58, 41, 17 and 15 and two men aged 26 and 22, all from Poland.

A second man, Denis Kolencukov, 23, from the Czech Republic but now living in the UK was arrested when he arrived in Dover from Dunkirk.

Both Michek and Kolencukov were remanded in custody to appear in court this morning.

They are both charged with "knowingly being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition or restriction on a prohibited weapon or ammunition" and "conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so".

Addresses in Slough, Berkshire have been searched as part of an ongoing investigation.

Graham Gardner, NCA's deputy director of investigations, said: "This joint operation has resulted in a large number of viable firearms being taken out of circulation before they could reach the UK.

"Whilst we are in the early stages of our investigation, I believe these weapons were intended for criminal use in either London or across the UK and it goes without saying the risk they would have posed to the public.

"Handguns are still commonly favoured by some criminal groups in the UK. They may not be the largest firearm, but they are easily concealable and lethal in the hands of anyone prepared to use them.

"Firearms related crime across the UK poses a significant threat to the public and the NCA is working with partners in the UK and around the world to combat this threat."

Anyone with information about illegal firearms can report to the police or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.