THE boss of a Worcestershire haulage firm is to halve his European distribution amid mounting concerns over spiralling costs and fines.

John Deacon, of Evesham-based Westbourne Services, says the threat of shelling out thousands of pounds if his lorries become unwitting immigrant carriers is too great.

He says the Government should do more to stop immigrants sneaking on to lorries instead of making truckers pay - though the Home Office says firms must bear sole responsibility for this.

Mr Deacon leases two lorries to take a range of freight, mainly to Italy.

So far, his two drivers have avoided immigrants breaking into their trucks at Calais, while gangs regularly approach them with demands to let travellers on.

"They have felt physically intimidated, with a group of five people approaching them," said Mr Deacon.

"I think it will reach the stage where a driver is injured, I seriously do."

Haulage firms face fixed penalties of £2,000 for each illegal immigrant discovered.

Under operating laws, firms must have a cash reserve of £7,000 per vehicle, which Mr Deacon says could be easily wiped out if a small band of immigrants were discovered.

"Under the law, it is the fault of the driver, but they are the victims, just as much as the people who are fleeing these countries," he said.

When the lease on one of his lorries expires next February, Mr Deacon, whose business includes a recruitment agency, will not renew it.

"I wish I had never got involved with it in the first place."

Mike Freeman, of the Road Hauliers Association, said the immigration situation was a "nightmare".

He said proposals were underway to create a screening process whereby drivers could receive a guarantee that their vehicles were secure to avoid the swingeing penalties.

This is likely to be handled by private companies instead of the French and British governments.

"If we had Government support, this could be set up within a couple of months," he said.

"This is a political issue, but there is no incentive to help."

A Home Office spokesman said drivers had "ultimate responsibility" not to let illegal travellers on board.

"It is not for us to sort out, it is for the industry to ensure," he added.