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."

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.

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