A group of 15 suspected illegal immigrants were found when a heavy goods lorry was unloaded at Kimberly Clark paper mill in Crete Hall Road, Northfleet.

The incident took place at around 10am this morning, when a lorry coming from Italy was being dealt with.

The men were taken out of the lorry and staff called police, who have since passed on the matter to the Home Office.

It is believed the men were of African origin.

Due to the men spending time in the container, the lorry's load will now have to be destroyed.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We work closely with the police to tackle illegal immigration and continue to strengthen the security of our border to stop those who have no right to enter the UK.

"If people have a genuine need of protection they should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach. If they are just seeking to evade immigration control they need to know that they are risking their lives and that they will get caught.

"The new Immigration Act makes it harder for people to live in the UK illegally. It makes it harder for illegal immigrants to abuse our benefits and public services, and makes it easier for us to remove them by reducing the number of appeals.”

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