A lorry driver was arrested after police discovered 11 suspected illegal immigrants in the back of his vehicle.

It is believed others may have escaped arrest.

The lorry driver, believed to be working for a German company, stopped his vehicle at Bexhill's Ravenside retail park at 12.30pm yesterday. Police said he claimed to have heard noises coming from the back and stopped to investigate.

Inspector Max Mosely said officers were alerted by several people who reported seeing up to 30 people spilling out of the vehicle.

On arrival, police took 12 people into custody, including the driver, whose identity has not been released.

The 11 stowaways, including several children, were handed over to the Immigration Service to find out how they got into the lorry and where they came from.

Insp Mosely said: "Some of them were from Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo. The driver was arrested and immigration are dealing with him now.

"There are something like 2,000 refugees a week coming through."

Drivers face a fine of £2,000 for each illegal immigrant they bring into the UK.