A GROUP of suspected illegal immigrants found inside a lorry remain in custody a week after they were arrested.

On September 6 immigration officers rushed to Bagshot Road, Bracknell after a witness reported noises coming from within a tanker.

They climbed on board and arrested nine men, who are believed to be from Afghanistan, on suspicion of entering the UK illegally.

Seven days later eight of the men remain in police custody where, a Home Office spokesperson said, they would "be dealt with according to immigration rules."

"Where someone is found to have no right to remain in the UK," the spokesperson continued, "we will take action to remove them."

Just over 80 per cent of illegal immigrants and those seeking asylum are held for less than two months, The University of Oxford's Migration Observatory found, although detention regularly reaches four months.

During that time immigration officers determine the person's right to enter the UK.

A minor found in the lorry was passed into the care of the social services.

A 57 year-old man was also arrested but has since been released pending further enquires.