AN Indian restaurant in Leominster has kept its licence after illegal immigrants were found working in the kitchen.

A review of the premises licence held by Taste of India in West Street was launched in June following a multi-operation raid.

Two men working in the kitchen were found to be in the UK illegally with no right to be employed.

Herefordshire Council's Licensing Committee was told yesterday that the business had not been in trouble with the police before.

Sgt Duncan Reynolds said since the raid the licence holder, Hafiz Ali, employed a licensing agent to learn more about complying with the licensing law.

Sgt Reynolds said that conditions to keep the licence had already been applied including the need to keep records that reflect the Immigration Act 2010. He said police have also written to the applicant to warn him about future enforcement if it happens again.

Licensing consultant Nick Semper spoke on behalf of Mr Ali. He said two or three months prior to the police visit Mr Ali needed to employ a kitchen porter and he received a call from Abdullah Rahman. He was having family trouble and needed somewhere to live and work, so Mr Ali gave him a job.

Mr Semper said his client asked for Mr Rahman's paperwork but was told it had got lost in the family split and he was in the process of obtaining duplicates.

On the day of the visit Mr Semper said it was the last day of Ramadan which is followed by a celebration with family and friends. He said Mr Rahman's friend, Alim Uddin, came to visit with the intention of staying the night.

He said Mr Uddin was in the kitchen when the police arrived. But Mr Semper said: "Whether he was fixing a drink or a meal for them to celebrate the "break the fast" of Ramadan, he does not know, but he maintains that Mr Uddin was not employed by him or working for him at the time of the visit."

He said a Home Office Right to Work checklist had been completed for every member of staff.

The licence allows live music, provision of refreshment or alcohol, late night refreshments and sale by retail of alcohol.

The licensing committee said as action had already been taken there was no need for further conditions on the licence.