Eight illegal immigrants working at a popular Chinese restaurant in Canterbury have been arrested and face deportation.

Cafe de China in St George’s Place could be forced to pay a £70,000 fine after the raid by the UK Border Agency’s Kent enforcement team at 5.30pm on Monday.

After quizzing staff and checking identities, immigration officers arrested six Chinese men and two Chinese women.

They are being held at an immigration detention centre while officers work to remove them from the UK.

Carla Johnson, of the Kent Local Immigration Team, said: "We will not tolerate illegal working in Canterbury.

"This arrest shows our commitment to targeting those who employ illegal workers.

"It is a crime that not only undercuts local business but also has a serious impact on local communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

"We will act on any information received and if appropriate visit the place concerned and make arrests.

"No matter what line of business you are in, you are not safe."

The owner of the business was issued with a notice of potential liability in respect of the illegal workers and may face a fine of up to £70,000 for the workers employed.

To avoid a fine, employers must convince the UK Border Agency that they carried out the correct checks for employing a worker from outside the EU.

Civil penalties for people who fail carry out proper checks on their staff were introduced last year.

Employers unsure about the rules can log on to www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call the UK Border Agency helpline on 0845 010 6677.

Anyone in Canterbury who suspects illegal immigrants are working can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.