Seven children were among nine migrants stopped by police after they were found "underneath a tanker truck" near the Dartord Crossing on Wednesday.

Nine people, all from Afghanistan, were discovered in an articulated vehicle by police near the Dartford Crossing, which was reported by eyewitnesses to be tanker truck.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of entering the country illegally and remain in immigration detention.

The seven minors have been passed into the care of Kent Social Services.

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and arrangements are being made for them to be handed over to Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers to process."

Sam McKinnon said he saw the alleged illegal immigrants shortly before they were found by police.

He said: "My partner and I saw them hiding by Bob Dunn Way then saw them running across the road, I knew straight away who they were so went looking for them and found them by the Beefeater Grill.

"A young lad who looked about 12 approached my car and made a hand gesture then left."

On Friday, police arrested a number of people on suspicion of illegal entry after they were found running from a lorry near a Sainsbury's depot in Littlebrook Manor Way, Dartford.

Fifteen people were arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally, including eight women and four men from Eritrea, one man from Sudan, one man from Syria and one woman from Ethiopia.

They were all questioned by Home Office officials and must now report to them regularly while their cases are considered.

If it is found they have no right to remain they will face removal from the UK.

Meanwhile, in Minster, Thanet, a group of suspected illegal immigrants was found in the back of a lorry after voices were heard.

Police were called to a petrol station in Tothill Street just before 10am.

A spokesman said: "Six men and a woman were found inside the lorry. They were detained by officers and will be handed over to the Home Office Immigration Enforcement."

Stories you might have missed

Man thrown from car - then trapped underneath it

'Why would somebody want to do this?'

Manston 'ready for Stack'

Theatre boss cleared of sex assault