A GROUP of 'illegal immigrants' from Iran and Iraq were found in the back of lorry after it stopped at an estate near Stockbridge.

The men were discovered on Thursday 19th April when the lorry pulled up at Longstock Park service area on the Leckford Estate, at about 4.45pm.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary were called to the estate, owned by Waitrose, to attend the incident, with a police helicopter also dispatched.

A spokesman for the force confirmed that it attended the scene following “an incident involving a lorry”.

An eyewitness has claimed that once the group were discovered, staff on the estate were told to lock doors on the site.

They included two men from Iraq and another from Iran.

They have been referred to the Home Office for their case to be looked at.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Immigration Enforcement was contacted by Hampshire Police on Thursday, 19 April after police officers attended an incident at the Longstock Park Service Station, Hampshire.

“Police officers encountered three male individuals suspected of entering the UK illegally. Two are from Iraq; one from Iran.

“All were referred to the Home Office and their cases will be progressed in line with the immigration rules.

“Where someone is found to have no right to remain in the UK, we will take action to remove them.”

Waitrose has thanked the police for their “prompt action”, adding it was “grateful” for officers’ attendance after the incident was discovered.