A Chinese restaurant could receive a £30,000 fine after three illegal workers were arrested during a raid.

The UK Border Agency carried out the raid at the Twin Chinese Noodle Bar in Copperfields Shopping Centre, Dartford on Tuesday.

They acted after information was received on the employee's immigration statuses.

Two women, aged 21 and 23, and a 30-year-old man from China were arrested.

One woman entered the UK illegally while the other two stayed after their visas had expired.

They have been taken to an immigration detention where the UK Border Agency will remove them from the UK.

If employers cannot prove that checks were carried out before taking on staff, they could face fines of up to £10,000 per worker.

Karyn Dunning, who heads the UK Border Agency’s local immigration team for Kent said: " "The message to any business that chooses to employ illegal labour is clear – the UK Border Agency will find you and take the strongest possible action."

"We urge members of the public to get in touch with us if they have information about suspected illegal immigrants or companies that are employing illegal workers.

We are cracking down on immigration abuse and will continue to carry out regular raids.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visitwww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/advice-for-employersor they can call the UK Border Agency’s Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Kent can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visitwww.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime.