A trucker has been arrested and charged after cocaine worth an estimated £1.2 million was found hidden in the bodywork of his lorry.

Packages containing 30 kilos of the class A drug were seized from the Lithuanian-registered HGV at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Border Force officers at the inward freight controls discovered the stash after stopping and searching the vehicle.

The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine.

Lithuanian national Ricardas Gudelis, 45, was arrested and the investigation was passed to the National Crime Agency. He was later charged with the attempted drugs importation.

He has since appeared at Folkestone Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on August 17.

Speaking after the seizure last Monday, director of Border Force South East and Europe, Paul Morgan, said: "Every year Border Force officers seize class A drugs worth hundreds of million of pounds.

"Working with law enforcement colleagues like the NCA we are determined to prevent drug trafficking."

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling is asked to call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.