Seven people have been taken to hospital after dozens of suspected illegal immigrants were found crammed in a container at a port in Britain.

The East of England Ambulance Service were called around 10pm about people locked in the container at Harwich International Port in Essex.

A total of 68 men and women were assessed at the scene, with seven taken to Colchester General Hospital.

Two of those in hospital are pregnant women.

"The patients who were taken to hospital were suffering from abdominal and chest pains and were feeling faint," a spokesman said.

"None are in a life-threatening or serious condition. The remaining 61 were released to the UK Border Agency officials."

The container is believed to have come from Holland. Those locked in it were from various countries.

Matt Broad from East of England Ambulance Service said paramedics were on the scene within six minutes of getting a call from UK Border Agency staff.