An investigation has been launched into a Yarmouth Chinese restaurant after immigration officers raided the premises and found four illegal workers from China.

An investigation has been launched into a Yarmouth Chinese and Japanese restaurant after immigration officers raided the premises and found four illegal workers from China.

The four workers were discovered in the Maple Restaurant during a raid by officers of the UK Border Agency in the town's main tourist area on Thursday.

All four Chinese people - three men aged 43, 39 and 37 and a 34-year-old woman - are still being detained while immigration officials investigate how they came to the country without permission.

The owners of the Maple are also being investigated to see if they carried out proper pre-employment checks before taking on the four workers.

If the restaurant in Regent Road can not prove it carried out the proper checks it could face a fine of �40,000 - �10,0000 for each worker illegally employed.

It could also be prevented from employing migrant workers from outside Europe.

Insp Colin Daulby, of the UK Border Agency's Norfolk immigration team, said: 'There are severe financial penalties for businesses which do not play by the rules.

'We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out - but those who choose to operate outside the law should expect to be punished.'

Guidance for employers on how to prevent recruiting illegal workers can be found on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employingmigrants or by calling 0300 1234699.