The owners of a Bovey Tracey takeaway face a fine of up to £10,000 after immigration officers detained an illegal Malaysian worker.

Raids were carried out by the UK Border Agency on Wednesday last week, both in Bovey and Newton Abbot.

As well as the Malaysian woman a failed Bangladeshi asylum seeker was also arrested. Both are to be deported.

Acting on intelligence, immigration officers went to Choy's, Town Hall Place, in Bovey Tracey, at 5.45pm.

A 46-year-old Malaysian woman who was behind the counter was found to have stayed in the country illegally after her visa had expired.

She was arrested and taken to Torquay police station for detention pending her deportation.

Officers then visited Bollywood Spice in Queen Street, Newton Abbot, at 8.15pm.

As they went into the kitchen a chef ran upstairs and attempted to hide. He was arrested and also detained in Torquay prior to his removal from the country.

Kenny Chapman, who heads the UK Border Agency's immigration team for the south west, said: 'Through operations like this we are sending a simple message to immigration offenders living and working in Devon – more raids are planned and you will be caught.

'It is the legal responsibility of all employers to check

FULL STORY IN OUR ONLINE EDITION