A 26-YEAR-OLD Romanian man has been arrested on suspicion of trafficking after 21 illegal immigrants were found in the back of a refrigerated lorry.

The group, all men aged between 15 and 52 and from Afghanistan and Iraq, were found in the back of a Leatrans lorry when it was raided by dozens of armed police in Chippenham.

The vehicle had been stopped at Chippenham Pit Stop near Junction 17 of the M4 on Saturday when police were informed at 4.15pm there may be people inside.

Armed police units, 14 police vehicles, police dogs and seven ambulances attended the scene, before the men were taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Royal United Hospital in Bath and Southmead Hospital in Bristol, as a precautionary measure.

They were later taken to police custody in Melksham and Gablecross but have since been released and are now under the care of the UK Border Agency.

The driver of the vehicle has been released on police bail pending further enquiries and the lorry was seized for further investigation.