A TOTAL of eight people have now been arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally after people were seen fleeing a lorry in North Petherton.

The Home Office has confirmed three children were among those on the lorry.

Police officers arrested eight males on suspicion of entering the UK illegally and referred them to the Home Office. They presented themselves as Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian nationals.

Two Spanish men, aged 43 and 44, were also arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal migration.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Immigration Enforcement was contacted by Avon and Somerset Police at about 1am on Thursday, January 16 after police officers attended an incident on the A38 at North Petherton, Somerset.

"Police officers arrested eight males on suspicion of entering the UK illegally and referred them to the Home Office. They presented themselves as Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian nationals.

"Of the eight, five will be interviewed by immigration officers. Three minors were transferred into the care of social services.

"All the cases will be dealt with according to the immigration rules.

"Two Spanish men, aged 43 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal migration. The investigation is being led by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) team."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said it is believed there is one more person who was on the lorry who is not yet accounted for, but until further information is available, a search is not ongoing.

If anyone does have further information relating to the incident, they are asked to contact the police.

The Home Office confirmed the two Spanish men have been released under investigation.