Four children are believed to be among more than 20 people who were found in a lorry on the M6, authorities have said.

Specialist social workers from Staffordshire county council are working to support four people under 18 as police question a 42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK.

The council leader, Philip Atkins, said: “In the last five years almost 200 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children have been found along the M6 corridor in Staffordshire.

“They are usually very hungry, tired and unkempt after being in a lorry for a long time, and frightened and anxious.

“More needs to be done to help stop children making these perilous journeys and risking their lives, but in the meantime we have a duty to protect and support all children in our care.”

Part of the motorway near Stoke-on-Trent was closed after police stopped and searched the lorry on the northbound carriageway at about 5.45pm on Wednesday.

Some of the group fled from the vehicle but were detained by officers before being given a medical assessment and transferred to immigration officials for interview.

Burton Albion supporters travelling to their team’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City were among those stuck in the traffic following the motorway closure. Hundreds had yet to arrive at the Etihad stadium as the game kicked off as planned at 7.45pm.

Both carriageways of the motorway were closed between junctions 15 and 16 as of 8pm. The northbound carriageway reopened shortly before 10pm, according to Highways England.

Staffordshire police said: “Officers stopped a lorry on the M6 northbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16 at around 5.45pm following concerns for people travelling in the back of a vehicle.

“During the incident a number of people fled from the lorry but all were detained. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported.”