A COACH firm has stepped up security measures around Calais after being fined £2,000 when two illegal immigrants were found on board.

Drivers from L and R Transport Services, based in Southend Road, Wickford, refuse to stop in the French port for toilet breaks, and ensure they never pass through there after dark.

Bosses at the business have spoken out after their appeal against a £2,000 fine, imposed because two illegal immigrants hid in the back of one of their vehicles, was thrown out by the UK Border Agency.

Co-owner Lawrence Bourne was driving 40 day-trippers back from a Calais hypermarket when he was stopped by a large group of people crossing the road in October 2014.

While he was distracted, two stowaways forced open the lock on the storage area under the coach and hid inside.

L and R Transport Services has since scaled back its trips through France, and is now missing out on even more business after 2,500 migrants trying to get to Britain stormed the Channel Tunnel over the weekend.

Rob Cantwell, co-owner of the firm, said: “It's worse than ever at the moment.

“There is no way we would stop in Calais. It's just not worth the risk. We always make sure we head back while its light.

"We have to make sure all doors and windows are secure, because these immigrants will do anything they can.

"This is affecting so many people. We've had organised trips cancelled because of the traffic chaos on the M20, and people are scared to travel through the tunnel.”

Mr Bourne and Mr Cantwell were shocked when the fine arrived on their doorstep in June – eight months after the immigrants were discovered.

Although Mr Bourne and his passengers were still in France, once drivers pass a certain point at the port, they are legally considered to be on British soil.

This meant Mr Bourne had, technically, brought the men into the UK and breached immigration laws.

The company has now contacted Mark Francois, Tory MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, to see if the issue can be resolved with the Home Office.

Just a month ago, Mr Cantwell had to chase off two stowaways who tried to hide under his coach as he stopped in Calais to drop off a group of schoolchildren.

He added: “Whenever we get a booking from a school we’re surprised they want to take the kids out there, but a lot of people think the situation has been exaggerated by the media.

“The teachers were certainly surprised to see for themselves the problem is just as bad as it’s being portrayed.”

Violence flares as thousands seek new life in UK

VIOLENCE has erupted in Calais as thousands of migrants try to make their way to Britain.

Around 1,700 people attempted to get on to trains and lorries passing through the port on Sunday night – the highest number for almost a week. A French riot officer suffered a lacerated face and head after police were pelted with stones.

An organised gang of 200 were filmed chanting “open the borders”

and demanding to be allowed into Britain. On Friday and Saturday, 400 illegal immigrants per night tried to make the journey across the Channel Tunnel.

At the peak of the crisis a week ago, around 2,000 migrants stormed fences and desperately tried to clamber on trains bound for Kent. One died and others were injured.

The British Government has vowed to fund extra security guards, fencing and CCTV. A new Immigration Bil is also being worked on, with the aim to make it more difficult for migrants to live in the UK after their visas have expired or asylum applications have been rejected.