Four Polish lorry drivers arrested after 68 suspected illegal immigrants were found locked in their vehicles in Harwich have been released on bail.

They were taken in to custody after the 35 Afghan nationals, 22 Chinese nationals, 10 Vietnamese and one Russian passenger were discovered at Harwich International Port in Essex at about 10pm on Thursday.

The drivers, who were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, have been bailed until July 2.

Fifteen of those discovered hiding amid Polish washing machines were children.

In total seven people - including two pregnant women – were taken to hospital to be checked before being released into the care of Border Force officials.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed that 53 adults and 15 children were found during a “proactive search”.

The individuals arrived at the port at 7.45pm on lorries that had boarded the Stena Hollandica ferry which sailed from the Hook of Holland at 2.25pm.