FIFTEEN people have been found in the back of a lorry in Chippenham last night, leading to the arrest of a man in his 50s.

Police were called at 8.30pm to check out an HGV which was involved in 'suspicious activity' on the A350 near the town.

Officers checked the lorry and discovered the 15 people in the back, 14 of which have been taken to custody and the other is in hospital. No one is believed to be in a serious condition.

On initial investigation, police believe they are all over the age of 16.

The man was arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal entry and was taken to Swindon custody for questioning.

A road closure was put in place on the A350 at the Kington Langley crossroads while the lorry was recovered.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT

Robert Burton, 31, from Chippenham, was driving down the A350 when he saw the incident unfold.

“Two ambulances passed us. We saw another five or six police cars then another three or four ambulances,” he said.

“We saw immigrants being pulled out of the lorry.

“One man had a jacket with the hood up. There was another man being treated.

“It was shocking. You expect it in the city. You don’t expect it in a small market town.”