TWO suspected illegal immigrants were found hiding in the back of a delivery lorry by workers at a paint factory in Bolton.

The wagon, which was also carrying 20 pallets of chemical pigment, had arrived at Leighs Paints in Tower Works, Kestor Street, on Thursday afternoon from Spain.

The two men, described as of African appearance and in their late teens or early 20s, were arrested by police.

Leighs Paints human resources director Mike Green said: "We get quite a few deliveries from the UK and different parts of Europe and there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about this one, until one of our lads tried to open the curtain side of the wagon and saw two people inside."

The wagon had travelled from Spain and was driven by a Spanish driver. Staff at Leighs Paints immediately called police after the discovery was made.

Mr Green said: "They had rucksacks with them and they seemed to know one or two words of English. The wagon came across on the ferry from Spain.

"The driver had no idea they were there. He was horrified. They were very compliant and mild mannered and stayed in the lorry until the police arrived. We've no idea how they got in. Nothing like this has ever happened here before."

A police spokesman said: "The two men have been arrested under the Immigration Act pending further inquiries."