A GROUP of seven illegal immigrants had to be rescued from two freight containers filled with carpets at Cheriton, near Folkestone.

They were found safe and well on a train at the Dollands Moor yard just after 8am on Saturday. Two crews from Folkestone fire station were at the scene for three hours trying to free the seven immigrants who were stuck in the back of the containers behind rolls of carpet.

The five-metre rolls had to be removed and the power supply for the over head cables shut off before they could be released.

Firefighters had to use hydraulic rescue equipment and a winch, as well as a thermal-imaging camera to complete the rescue.

Four people were found in one container and a further three people were found in the second freight container. All seven were arrested by police.