Police have appealed to two brothers wanted in connection with the deaths of 39 people found in a lorry container in Essex to hand themselves in.

Ronan, 40, and Christopher Hughes, 34, are wanted on suspicion of manslaughter and people trafficking.

Speaking in Belfast, police confirmed they had spoken to Ronan by phone.

“Ronan and Chistopher, hand yourselves in,” said Det Ch Insp Daniel Stoten, who is leading the lorry deaths investigation for Essex Police.

“We need you both to come forward and assist this investigation.”

He added that speaking to the Hughes brothers was crucial.

“The sooner we can make this happen, the sooner we can progress with our investigation,” he said.

Mr Stoten, who is leading the lorry deaths investigation for Essex Police, said the Hughes brothers have links to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

They are also connected to the road haulage and shipping industries.

Essex Police have said the brothers are from County Armagh.

It is understood they are originally from County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland but have at least one business address in Northern Ireland.

The PSNI stopped and seized a lorry on Thursday, believed to be connected to the Hughes brothers.

No further arrests were made.