Almost 30 migrants, who arrived in Kent on the back of a lorry yesterday, have been released.

The group - comprising 27 Vietnamese nationals and one man from Laos - jumped off a vehicle delivering to Aesica Pharmaceuticals, Queenborough, Sheppey.

The Home Office has also revealed six minors among them, all of whom have been passed to the care of social services, which will "age assess" them.

A spokesman said: "They have been temporarily released and must report regularly to us while their cases are considered.

"If it is found they have no right to remain they will face removal from the UK."

Witnesses, who saw the migrants dash off the heavy goods vehicle, reported seeing them split into separate groups to evade capture.

Southeastern trains was forced to suspend services and cut the power to the tracks at just after 11am after a number of the immigrants were spotted running across the lines between Sheerness and Queenborough.

British Transport Police assisted in the arrest of five people.

Senior HR advisor for Aesica, Amy Mort, said the extra cargo in the lorry was only discovered when staff attempted to unload it.

She added: "The lorry was carrying active pharmaceutical ingredients - the product has now been rejected."