TWO restaurants could face fines totalling £50,000, after they were found to be employing illegal workers.

Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) raided Rajpooth Indian Restaurant, on Claypath, in Durham, checking the documents of all staff inside.

Three Bangladeshi men were found to be working illegally.

A team also raided the May Flower Chinese Takeaway, on Front Street, in Sacriston, where two Chinese workers were found to be working illegally.

The UKBA moved after receiving tip-offs.

Notices of Potential Liability were served on each of the businesses, with potential fines totalling £50,000(FIFTY THOUSAND).

Each now has 28 days to provide the UKBA with evidence the correct right-to-work checks were carried out or face a fine of up to £10,000(TEN THOUSAND) per illegal worker.

The UKBA is now seeking to remove the individuals from the country.

Steve Lamb, UKBA regional operations director for the North-East, 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 face fines and could potentially end up in jail."

The raids follow an earlier police-led operation, carried out on Wednesday, December 10, which targeted an Indian restaurant in Chester-le-Street and a chip shop in Newcastle.

Officers from the UKBA's Tyne enforcement team raided Memories of India, on Chester-le-Street's Pelaw Bank, and Gill's Chip Shop, on Wallsend's Frank Street.

In Chester-le-Street, two Bangladeshi men were picked up and taken to the nearest police station. In Wallsend, one Indian man was arrested.

The operations come at a time of huge reform to the UK's immigration system.

The Government recently introduced a points-based system for managing migration, aimed at ensuring only those with the skills the UK needs are allowed to work.

Civil penalties for businesses who fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced last Spring.

The UKBA has recently started naming on its website employers who have been fined under the new rules.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can call the UKBA on 0845-010-6677.

Anyone who suspects illegal workers are being employed can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.