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Authorities in France have banned UK immigration officials in Calais from using X-ray machines to scan for illegal immigrants in trucks. The French say guards first need to obtain the stowaways' written consent under European health and safety (Euratom) regulations designed to protect individuals from radiation. Geoff Dossetter, Freight Transport Association (FTA) director of external affairs, has slammed the move.

He says: "Lorry drivers support the use of scanning equipment, which adds  to the actions they themselves take to defend their vehicles and loads from penetration by illegal immigrants, and from the criminals who facilitate them. "Those drivers look for support from both the UK and French governments in doing all they can to provide security for lorry drivers and their vehicles in order to prevent the carriage of illegal immigrants into the UK. This latest action by the French will clearly not help that process."

In 2002, France allowed the UK to set up its own immigration controls in Calais and it is estimated that the machines have helped cut the number of immigrants arriving at Dover by 88%. The FTA says it is in touch with the Home Office regarding the issue, seeking clarification of both the current situation and future prospects.

A Home Office spokesman says: "French ministers have agreed to increase security at the border, not step backwards. We have an excellent working relationship with the French Border Police and work together to  tackle illegal immigration". Peter Harding, owner of Peter Harding Freight, in Haverfordwest, adds: "This move can't help the situation, I'm very surprised they are doing this and I can only see it as a backward step."