FIVE Romanian refugees were discovered hidden in the back of a tipper lorry near Bricket Wood last Thursday.

Police were alerted to the lorry which was travelling on the M25 close to Junction 21A, by a member of the public at 1.20pm. When three officers stopped the truck and pulled back its tarpaulin covering they were faced by five dusty refugees.

Officers escorted the lorry and its illegal cargo back to St Albans police station, where the refugees were held for a short time.

They have now been sent to the Immigration Processing Centre at Croydon where they can apply for asylum.

The driver of the lorry was released by police pending further investigations.