A RESTAURANT has been shut down after immigration and police found two illegal workers on site.

Reading Borough Council revoked the licence of Himalaya Momo House in Caversham at a Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The Indian takeaway was scrutinised in the absence of the current licence holder Sirop Chapel, who declined to attend the meeting.

Bir Channtyal, the prospective owner, attempted to make a case on his behalf, but he was told to sit in the public gallery while councillors, police and immigration officers listed the offences.

Two illegal immigrants were found during an inspection on July 13, while others were seen fleeing the building.

PC Simon Wheeler chased the two offending workers and brought them back to the restaurant, before finding out that no right to work checks had been carried out.

He said: "We expect businesses of this nature to be a low risk but clearly we were wrong.

"I believe this premises is flouting the licensing objectives and the fact that the current licence holder has not attended demonstrates that this site has been poorly managed."

Councillor Paul Woodward, chair of the committee, said the licence had been revoked because of immigration offences and due to the illegal sale of alcohol over the last two years.

The committee also heard a case from China Palace on Oxford Road, but the hearing was adjourned after the panel discovered the owner's 15-year-old son was interpreting.

Eleven illegal workers were found at the eatery since 2011, with a maximum fine of £80,000 imposed by immigration officers after three Chinese men and a young Malaysian woman were detained in July.

Hui Chang Yin was quizzed by Richard French from the council's Licensing team and suggested it was not his fault for failing to carry out right to work checks.

China Palace was also handed a hygiene rating of 0 out of 5 after inspectors found mould in the kitchen.

Mr French added: "Given the seriousness and repeat nature of the offences it is our belief that the licence should be revoked."

Cllr Woodward instructed Mr Yin to come back as soon as possible with a proper interpreter and said it was unfair to expect his son to carry the burden of asking questions on his behalf.