Illegal workers have been found at two Bedford eateries, which will now face fines of up to £30,000 each.

Officers from the UK Border Agency visited Frankie and Benny's in Goldington Road and the Kashmir Takeaway in Midland Road on Thursday (October 29).

Frankie and Benny's now faces a potential fine of £10,000 after it was found employing one illegal worker, while the Kashmir Takeaway could have to pay £30,000 after it was caught with three illegal members of staff.

Melanie Partridge, the officer in charge of the intelligence led operation, said: "We are working hard to pull the plug on the illegal jobs which lure illegal immigrants to come to the UK in the first place.

"Illegal working is unfair on honest employers who recruit staff with the right to work in the UK and who pay them a proper salary.

"Employers who don't play by the rules will get struck off our register, lose the right to recruit staff from outside Europe, face on the spot fines and could potentially end up in jail."

The illegal employee at Frankie and Benny's was a 64-year-old Brazilian man who had overstayed his visa.

At the Kashmir Takeaway officers found a 29-year-old Bangladeshi man who had overstayed his visa, a 17-year-old Iranian illegal immigrant and a 27-year-old illegal entrant from Afghanistan.

Steps are now being taken to remove the Brazilian man and the Bangladeshi man from the UK. The two other workers have outstanding asylum applications.

Both businesses will face fines unless they can prove that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out.

Guidance for employers on preventing illegal working can be found on the UK Border Agency website, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employingmigrants

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed in Beds should contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.