MP Peter Luff is calling for gangmasters to be registered following a joint crackdown on illegal immigration near Evesham by police and the Home Office.

Fourteen suspected illegal immigrants were detained near Evesham during an operation set up at 4am last Thursday in a lay-by between the Evesham and the Bidford roundabouts.

Police were present checking cars, vans and mini-buses for roadworthiness. At the same time the immigration officers were on hand to detain anyone they suspected of being in the country illegally.

Out of the 13 male and one female detained, six were Afghans, three were Polish and were all removed from the country. The others, all Eastern Europeans, were failed asylum seekers and have now either been deported or are scheduled for deportation. A Home Office spokesman said: "These spot checks are carried out weekly all over the country - Evesham is no exception. People are removed who have no right to be here."

Mr Luff said: "This is a growing concern. It's not just about immigrants - legal or illegal - but about vulnerable people being bussed about the Vale to work for extremely low wages." He said the same thing was happening in Lincolnshire, and he was planning to back his counterpart Mark Simmons MP who was calling for gangmasters to be licensed in a 10 minute rule bill due to be heard on September 9.

Mr Luff added: "I am also compiling a letter to supermarkets challenging them to find out who the gangmasters are employing, and whether the workers are treated properly."

The spot check by police on vehicles resulted in two drivers being stopped continuing their journeys due to faulty brakes and tyres and the others were reported for insurance or possible tax offences.

l THE driver of a minibus involved in a fatal crash at a crossing in Charlton has been charged with manslaughter. Three farm labourers in the minibus died in the crash with a First Great Western train at the private level crossing on July 7. Adnan Kadir Karim, 25, from Iraq, was charged with three counts of manslaughter and appeared before Worcester magistrates with his arm in a sling and using a crutch.

Mr Karim, who lives in Birmingham, spoke through an interpreter to confirm his name, age and address.

He had been arrested by police after being discharged from Worcester Royal Hospital, where he was treated after the incident.

Coroner Victor Round opened and adjourned an inquest into the deaths of Soran Karim, Satish Kumar and Islam Uddin Ahmed last Thursday.