Three illegal workers were arrested by immigration officers during a raid at a Maidstone buffet restaurant.

The trio were working at Yummy Yummy World Buffet and Grill, in Barker Road, when an enforcement team made an unannounced visit last Thursday.

One of the suspects, a 23-year-old from India, has an expired visa and further checks revealed the other Indian man, aged 37, has an outstanding case with the Home Office which prevents him from working.

Both men have been released on immigration bail and must report regularly to authorities while their cases are considered. Both could face deportation.

Both suspects have been released on immigration bail and must report regularly to authorities while their cases are considered. Both could face deportation.

A third man, a 41-year-old from Romania, was found to be in the UK legally but was fined £1,000 for working without permission.

The business, which opened in November, must provide evidence that necessary pre-employment checks were carried out. If it fails to do so, the owner could face a fine of up to £10,000.

Louise Whiteoak, from the Home Office immigration enforcement team in Kent, said: “We are determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

"We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.

“Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.”