Fifteen suspected migrants, including a child of 13, have been found in the back of a freezer lorry on the M25. It's thought they were in the lorry, which was refrigerated to -25C, for several hours.

The driver of the white HGV, which was carrying a cargo of Aunt Bessie's roast potatoes, stopped the vehicle at the Clacket Lane service station on the M25 in Surrey, on Friday (7 October) morning, after he heard the sound of banging coming from inside.

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Police and emergency services were called to the scene where they discovered the suspected illegal immigrants inside. The stowaways huddled together with sleeping bags and blankets as they travelled from the continent to the UK.

A family of four, including two children, were among those discovered in the lorry. Authorities also found a group of 11 males. At least three of the group - two men and a woman - have been taken to a nearby hospital for medical checks, while the others were given blankets and warm drinks at the Surrey service station to recover after enduring several hours in freezing temperatures.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police told Mail Online: "Surrey Police officers attended the M25 Clacket Lane services at around 10.15am, October 7, following reports of concern for safety. The driver of a white heavy articulated freezer lorry, who was travelling northbound, stopped at the service station after reporting he had heard loud banging coming from inside the vehicle.

"15 people were discovered in the rear of the lorry. Surrey Police officers closed the main slip road into the petrol station while the people were detained on suspicion of illegal entry. 14 adults, along with one juvenile will now be taken to hospital for medical checks following the incident."

The group have been detained on suspicion of illegal entry into the UK. The lorry driver is assisting officers with their enquiries, Sky News reports. A police spokesman said the investigation will be passed to UK Visas and Immigration.