15 people suffering from dehydration have been found in the back of a lorry stopped at a service station in Britain.

Avon and Somerset Police said the vehicle was stopped at about 1pm by the Southfields roundabout on the A303 near Ilminster, after officers received calls about noises coming from the back of the lorry.

The German lorry driver has been arrested on on suspicion of facilitating the unlawful entry of people into the UK.

The men, women and a boy (15) found inside the refrigerated box lorry - from Eritrea and Kashmir - received treatment and were checked over by paramedics. Officers said they were working with immigration authorities to investigate how the people got on board.

The lorry, owned by Thermotraffic, an international freight company, was later driven away from the scene.

Reporter David Bowden said "It looks like this was a tip-off. Police were following this vehicle. It clearly pulled into the service station and the police swooped."

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said "We stopped a lorry at a service station off the A303 at Southfields Roundabout at about 1pm."

"Their health and welfare is paramount as we try to piece together with the immigration authorities exactly what has happened."

Superintendent Geoff Wessell, from Avon and Somerset police, says he is aware of reports the driver might have been trying to raise the alarm.

Originally published 15:38