A TAUNTON couple who stocked up on tobacco on the Continent were shocked to be quizzed by customs.

Pauline and Dennis Allen, of Laxton Road, each bought 60 packets on a day coach trip to Belgium.

On their way home, they were stopped by UK Border Agency staff in Calais, France.

Mr Allen, who said the tobacco was for their own use, added: “My wife was stopped and told, ‘You, in that room’.

“I was sent into another room and asked what I was carrying.

“I told the person 3kg of tobacco, which I was entitled to.

“She said to me, ‘I believe you’re going to sell it’.”

Mr Allen added that he and his wife were quizzed for nearly an hour before being allowed to leave.

“We’re not crooks – just pensioners who’d got some money from a rent rebate and decided to legally buy some tobacco,” said Mr Allen.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said there is no limit to the amount of tobacco you can bring home from most EU countries, but officers are entitled to question you if they believe it may be for “commercial use”.

He added: “Passengers in these circumstances may be asked questions so the officer can establish whether the tobacco is for personal use.

“UK Border Agency officers can ask you questions about the tobacco you’re holding, regardless of the quantity.

“The aim is to avoid a loss of tax revenue to the UK if tobacco brought into the country is later sold on the black market.”