A HAMPSHIRE restaurant owner could be fined up to £50,000 after five of his staff were discovered to be working illegally.

Officers from the UK Border Agency swooped on the Imperial China premises in Lyndhurst and carried out checks to ensure that employees had the right to work in the UK.

An agency spokesman said a Chinese man and woman, both aged 23, were found to have entered the country illegally.

He added that a 37-year-old Malaysian woman had breached her entry conditions and another Chinese man and woman, both aged 36 had overstayed their visas.

"All five were arrested and are currently in detention while the agency takes steps to remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

"The owner of the restaurant was given a penalty notice warning he could face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker arrested, unless he can prove that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out."

Lyn Sari, head of the agency's Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Immigration Team, said it was the latest in a series of raids.

She added: "Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

"We're happy to work with businesses and tell what checks need to be done on staff.

"However, those who do break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines."