A CONSIGNMENT of council wheelie bins revealed a hidden extra load as 20 suspected Iraqi and Iranian illegal immigrants jumped from the lorry when it reached Maidstone.

Police have confirmed four men were arrested after a search of the area.

The lorry delivering the bins to Maidstone council had travelled from Spain to France, where it picked up the bins, before coming to Kent through the Channel Tunnel.

It had been due to drop the bins off at the Maidstone council depot in Armstrong Road, Maidstone, on Friday of last week, but called at the neigbouring Arriva bus depot by mistake, where 20 people jumped through the roof of the lorry.

A council spokesman said when the lorry arrived at its depot, there was no-one inside, only the consignment of bins.

A police spokesman said patrols attended College Road, Maidstone and after a search four men were arrested and taken to Maidstone Police Station.

The spokesman added: "A 20-year-old man from Iran, wanted by Liverpool police, was transferred to Liverpool City Magistrates Court on June 20.

"A 20-year-old man from Iraq, a 16-year-old boy from Iran and a 30-year-old man from Iran were released into the custody of the Immigration Service."

The Maidstone council spokesman added: "We can confirm the route of the lorry was from Spain to France, where the bins were picked up.

"Arriva has told us about 20 people jumped through the roof of the lorry and Arriva called the police."