Two takeaways in Irvine face a fine of up to £20,000 after workers were found to be working illegally.

Singh is King and GoGo's Chicken were both raided by officers last week and now each face a civil penalty of up to £20,000.

And two shops in the Three Towns area also face hefty penalties after a planned joint operation between the Home Office, Police and North Ayrshire Council.

Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement officers visited The Curry King Takeaway, Central Avenue, Ardrossan, at about 4.45pm; Singh is King, Dickson Drive, Irvine, at about 5.30pm and Spice of India, Wheatley Road, Saltcoats, at about 6pm on Thursday, March 23.

The Home Office later confirmed this week that Immigration Enforcement officers also visited Go Go’s Chicken, Fleming Terrace, Irvine at about 4.45pm.

Two Pakistani men, aged 26 and 39, were arrested and detained while steps are taken to remove them from the country.

The 26-year-old  was found to have overstayed his student visa and the 39-year-old was found to be an immigration offender.

Go Go’s Chicken faces a civil penalty of up to £20,000.

The Curry King and Singh is King were each served with civil penalty referral notices in relation to one illegal worker, while Spice of India was served a civil penalty referral notice in relation to two illegal workers.

The notices warn that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found could be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

If proof is not provided, the Curry King and Singh is King each face a potential penalty of up to £20,000 while Spice of India faces a potential penalty of up to £40,000.

Ian Tyldesley, Assistant Director for Immigration Enforcement, said: “Those who use and exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties.

“We are happy to work with businesses in Ayrshire to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished.

“Using illegal labour is not victimless. It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest businesses and cheats legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.”

Immigration checks at The Curry King found that a 50-year-old man from Pakistan had overstayed his visa.

He has been detained while steps are taken to remove him from the country.

At Singh is King, a 20-year-old Afghan man was found to have entered the UK illegally.

He was escorted from the premises and must report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while his case is dealt with.

Two Indian men, aged 24 and 27, were found at Spice of India.

The 24-year-old had overstayed a student visa and has been detained while steps are taken to remove him from the country.

The 27-year-old has an outstanding immigration case which does not permit him to work.

He was escorted from the premises.