A suspected illegal immigrant has been found on the roof of a grain truck leaving a P&O ferry at Dover today.

Reports suggest four more asylum seeks were found inside the truck, one of whom has been taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Police, paramedics and port of Dover staff were called to the vehicle leaving the Spirit of France vessel this morning.

P&O spokesman Brian Rees said: "The ship concerned was Spirit of France – the 10.45am departure from Calais.

"The ship sailed with 128 lorries on board. As the lorries came off the ship at Dover, a person was spotted on top of one. Initial reports are that another four were inside."

A port spokesman said: "The Port of Dover can now confirm that an inbound freight vehicle containing grain arrived from France late morning.

"Five people were discovered in the lorry, one requiring medical assistance at the scene who was later transferred to hospital with non-life threatening symptoms.

"Our primary concern was the health and safety of those found, four of whom were subsequently handed over to Kent Police shortly after for onward facilitation.

"The Port of Dover remained open and ferry services were unaffected whilst actively assisting the emergency services in dealing with the incident."

Kent Police confirmed: "We are working with the Port of Dover Police to understand the circumstances of this incident and both are seeking to resolve the situation for all concerned as soon as practical."