A lorry driver got a shock when noises in the back of his truck turned out to be coming from two Albanian families.

Chelmsford police were called to the A12 between Mountnessing and Hatfield Peverel to intercept the lorry on its way to Colchester.

Insp Kevin Jacobs, of Chelmsford police, said the driver rang his boss at the Colchester-based firm to tell him there was something in the lorry.

The boss rang Chelmsford police and the lorry was stopped on the side of the motorway at 7.40am yesterday

When police opened the door, they found nine Albanians inside.

The number comprised members of two families, two sets of husbands and wives each with two children. One family had their grandfather with them.

The lorry was returning to Colchester from Italy.

The Albanians were first taken to Chelmsford police station and later moved to a hotel in Southend under the supervision of the refugee unit.

Insp Jacobs said: "Our main concern was for the safety of the children. The families came quietly and they seemed to be all right - they weren't under-nourished or anything."

Police inquiries are continuing.

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