EIGHTEEN illegal immigrants from Iran and Iraq were discovered on a lorry at a Herefordshire fruit farm.

A haulier was travelling to S&A Produce in Marden, via Calais, when he heard noises and assumed that it could be people.

The haulage company told S&A who immediately called the police at 10.55am last Wednesday. 

Police were on site at the Marden soft fruit supplier HQ when the lorry arrived.

Officers found 18 males in the back of the vehicle and they were detained in custody for immigration offences.

Catherine Ellis, spokesman for the Home Office, said: "Eighteen people from Iran and Iraq were arrested by police officers for entering the UK illegally.

"Fifteen adults have been ordered to report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while their cases are progressed. Three minors are in the care of social services.

"Where someone is found to have no right to remain in the UK, we will take action to remove them."

A spokeswoman for S&A said: "S&A were quick to alert the authorities who were on site when the lorry arrived.

"As soon as the stowaways had been given some hot food and drinks by caring staff and examined medically by the ambulance service to confirm they were all in good health, the police took them away for further questioning."