A litter of puppies has been rescued after being smuggled into the UK in the back of a van.

The Pomeranian dogs were destined to be sold online to unsuspecting buyers for thousands of pounds following their journey from eastern Europe.

Transporters attempted to smuggle the so-called "handbag dogs" into the country with false passports.

Dogs Trust Canterbury stepped in to seize them as part of an ongoing investigation to stop the illegal trading.

It is part of a wider campaign by Dogs Trust focusing on puppies travelling into Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

Those entering the country under PETS must not be for sale, they need to be at least 15 weeks old, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, treated for tapeworm and have a pet passport.

Since December 2015, Dogs Trust has cared for more than 150 illegally imported pups providing care and quarantine.

Over the past two years, the charity has seen an 84% rise in the number of smaller or "handbag" breeds and the Canterbury branch claims the Pomeranians' smuggling represents the growing number of puppies falling victim to the illegal designer dog trade.

Visit the Dogs Trust website for more information.