Police officers searched fields next to the A2 after suspected migrants were spotted getting out of a lorry, but no-one has been found. .

Several police cars were parked off the carriageway and the police helicopter was circling fields near the central Gravesend turnoff.

Witnesses say they saw several people walking along the hard shoulder at about 5pm.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 4.40pm to the concern for a number of suspected migrants, who were reported to have got off a lorry near to the A2 in Gravesend.

"A search of the area is underway to locate them."

Officers stood down at 6pm, but nobody had been found.