Customs officers believe passengers worked as an organised group in an attempt to smuggle more 250,000 cigarettes into the UK.

A number of holidaymakers on a flight from Tenerife to East Midlands airport in Leicestershire were questioned after the huge consignment was seized.

In total, 252,000 cigarettes which had been crammed into suitcases were found - believed to be a record-breaking seizure from a single aeroplane.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise said it was believed the passengers were working together.

He added: "We have launched an investigation. This is part of a crackdown which we are running following intelligence received about the flights.

"All the people concerned have been interviewed and have been released while the investigation continues."