Men held after climbing out of lorry at Folkestone services Published duration 31 March 2015

media caption Ken Hopkins filmed men climbing out of a tanker at services on the M20 near Folkestone.

Ten men have been arrested after they were spotted climbing out of a tanker at a motorway service station.

Ken Hopkins, a passenger in a passing car, told the BBC he filmed them at the Stop 24 services on the M20, near Folkestone, Kent, at about 07:15 BST.

The men, all claiming to be Syrian, were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, Kent Police said.

They have been taken to an immigration detention centre and police are working with the Border Force.

Mr Hopkins said: "The portal opened on the top and they were literally pulling people out from inside.

"I saw people being hoiked out and being dropped to the floor.

"The driver opened his door because I don't think he knew and he could see all of these people."

Fraser Paterson, from Samphire, a migrant support charity, said many people were fleeing conflicts in fear of their lives.

"They have often been victims of torture or other ill-treatment.

"There are no visas for refugees so it's a sad fact that going on lorries is the way they can get to safety."