Apples used to camouflage a major cigarette-smuggling plot have been donated to two wild animal parks in Kent.

Officers from the UK Border Agency seized 4.6 million cigarettes on April 8 that had been hidden behind the consignment of fruit in a lorry driving through Dover docks.

The truck had arrived from Belgium via Calais and the consignment was destined for an address in East Kilbride, Scotland. If the haul had not been spotted, it would have cost the public purse around £750,000 in lost tax revenue.

The driver of the vehicle, a 28 year-old man from Northern Ireland, was interviewed and later released on bail until 11 June pending further enquiries.

Officers handed over the 11 pallets of Gala apples to the Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks to feed the 'residents'.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs spokesman in the South East, said: “We are delighted to donate these apples to the animals at Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks.

"Hopefully this will prove a valuable resource for the zoo and greatly helps us dispose of these perishable goods in a way that supports the environment."

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drugs or tobacco smuggling is asked to call HMRC's confidential line 0800 59 5000.