16 illegal immigrants caught in British lorry

POLICE have revealed that 16 illegal immigrants were caught trying to smuggle themselves into the UK – after breaking into a lorry containing a £1 million 200 mph racing car.

UK Border Agency officers working in Calais discovered eight Afghans, four Iraqis and four Vietnamese nationals sitting on a cramped shelf above the Aston Martin.

The officers, who had spotted that one of the trailer's side doors looked as if it had been forced open, handed the immigrants over to the French authorities.

Head of the UK border force Brodie Clark said: "The UK Border Agency has officers working 24 hours a day in Calais using the latest technology as well as specially trained dogs to identify and prevent illegal immigrants from reaching the UK.

"This is another excellent example of a successful detection by our highly-trained staff."

The discovery inside the British lorry was made in the early hours of 24 May.

It comes just days after five illegal immigrants were caught trying to enter the UK on trucks operated by Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management company.

The trucks, carrying broadcasting equipment were returning to the UK F1 headquarters in Biggin Hill in Kent from the Monaco Grand Prix.