Police were called after eight suspected illegal immigrants leapt out of a lorry delivering to the New Holland tractor plant today.

The European lorry, believed to have made its way from Germany and Italy, pulled up to the security gates at the plant in Cranes Farm Road, Pipps Hill when the four adults and four children tried to make their getaway at about 7.30am.

The security guard called the main office and four police cars from Basildon police station were called.

Officers rounded up the group after finding them making their way up the road in the Southend direction.

A ballot to decide on industrial action at Basildon's New Holland tractor plant has been delayed until next month.

More than 300 members of two unions at the Pipps Hill plant had been due to vote yesterday on new pay conditions put forward by New Holland bosses.

The new conditions will see the pay of Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, and Transport and General Workers' Union members docked during lay-off days.

However, the ballot has been delayed after it was discovered the list of voters was incomplete, union chiefs today admitted.

The new vote will take place on April 6.

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