Five people have been arrested after thousands of litres of fuel was stolen from a pipeline running below the Deputy Prime Minister's country house.

About 30,000 litres of fuel was diverted out of the 120 mile long pipeline that runs between Fawley Refinery in Hampshire and Purfleet Fuel Terminal and Gatwick.

Thieves drilled into the line just outside Chevening House near Sevenoaks, the country residence of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The fuel, valued at more than £8 million, is believed to have been stolen over the course of seven months.

A police spokesman said: "Five people have been arrested in connection with the theft of fuel from pipelines following a joint operation between Kent Police and HMRC.

"As part of a pre-planned operation earlier today officers have been carrying out a series of warrants, in conjunction with HMRC."