A CROSS-CHANNEL trip to buy cheap tobacco and alcohol has cost a Shrewton man a humiliating grilling and the loss of his £1,800 car.

Phil Shergold took his car and his 12-year-old son Josh for a day out on the car park shoppers ferry from Dover to Calais with the intention of stocking up on tobacco, a few bottles of wine and beer for himself and his wife.

Mr Shergold, a 42-year-old civil servant who lives in Maddington Street, Shrewton, bought them all from the ferry shop during the crossing and did not leave the ship.

But on his return to Dover, he was stopped by customs and excise officials, who checked his purchases and promptly began questioning him whether the goods were for his own use or for resale.

Mr Shergold and Josh were subjected to what he described as a horrendous and degrading interview, which ended with him unable to convince the officials that his purchases were for his own personal, family use.

His K-reg Ford Orion was impounded and he had to spend £66 on train and taxi fares to get himself and his son home.