TWO Iraqi refugees are in custody after giving themselves up to police at the Kent Messenger Group's head office in Larkfield today. They were among a number of refugees reported close to the M20 between Larkfield and Ashford.

The pair of Iraqis arrived at Messenger House, in New Hythe Lane, at about 8.30am.

They said they had walked for up to three hours along the M20 after paying 7,000 dollars each to be brought by lorry from Turkey to the UK. They asked to use the telephone to contact the police who later took them into custody.

Police also received reports of other Iraqi refugees near junction five of the M20 at Aylesford and further reports of up to seven refugees walking near the hard shoulder of the London-bound of the M20 near junction 9 -Ashford east. Several were taken into custody.