An Argentine lorry driver upset after inspectors found irregularities with his refrigerated cargo shut two inspectors in the back, then took them on a long, cold ride.

Sanitary control inspector Valeria Aguirre said the ordeal began after a routine inspection of a refrigerated lorry found that the food inside was not being stored at an acceptable temperature and the inspectors told the driver they were going to retain his cargo, described as desserts.

Ms Aguirre told Todo Noticias channel that she and another inspector entered the truck's refrigerated compartment to register the cargo when the driver became upset and said: "I want to go, they can't keep me here."

He then locked them in the back and drove off. "We grabbed what we could and the papers flew everywhere," Ms Aguirre said.

The imprisoned inspectors called colleagues who contacted police and the lorry was intercepted after about two miles.

The inspectors were rescued safe, but shivering, and the driver was arrested.