Two migrants were discovered hiding beneath a coach carrying approximately 50 British school children returning from France after they began banging and cheering when they realised they had reached the UK.

The stowaways were found on the M11 in Essex last Friday night after making noise from their hiding place in the wheel arches of the vehicle.

The coach was transporting Year 7 pupils aged 11 and 12 back from their end-of-year trip to Europe when the incident occurred.

According to a parent whose child was on board, teachers and the driver heard knocking sounds followed by what appeared to be cheering from underneath the front of the bus.

Two migrants were discovered hiding beneath a coach carrying approximately 50 British schoolchildren returning from France after they began banging and cheering when they realised they had reached the UK

The driver attempted to pull over when the wheels touched gravel, prompting shouts of "hey" from below, confirming someone was hiding beneath the coach.

Police advised the driver to reduce speed to approximately 45mph and travel along the hard shoulder to Birchanger services at junction 8.

"The poor driver was in a terrible situation, if he slowed down too much, there was a chance they would either get out and get caught in the wheels and die," one parent told the Daily Mail.

The driver turned up the music and asked pupils to close the curtains, successfully keeping them unaware of the situation.

Police advised the driver to reduce speed to approximately 45mph and travel along the hard shoulder to Birchanger services at junction 8

Upon stopping, the driver confronted one migrant who claimed to be 17 after initially stating he was 20.

The driver to respond: "You're bullsh**ting."

Police arrested both men and took them into custody.

Essex Police confirmed they were called to a rest stop shortly before 10pm.

The coach was transporting Year 7 pupils aged 11 and 12 back from their end-of-year trip to Europe when the incident occurred

"One person has been taken into police custody, while one is being referred to social care," a police spokesman stated.

The incident occurred days after 13 migrants were spotted fleeing from a lorry in Charlton, south-east London.

The Home Office confirmed an investigation is underway into how the migrants accessed the coach, with a spokesman stating: "We are relentless in our pursuit of people-smuggling gangs and stand ready to respond to all methods, including coaches and other clandestine routes."

Recent figures show 5,874 illegal immigrants were discovered attempting to reach Britain via Channel ports in 2024, a 22 per cent increase from 2023.