GWENT businesses were fined £40,000 for employing illegal workers between July and September this year.

Figures from the UK Border Agency show five businesses in Gwent were fined between July 30 and September 30.

McDonald's franchise, ACB Restaurants Limited, was fined a total of £15,000, for employing one worker at its premises in High Street, Newport, and two at Lyne Road, Newport.

A £5,000 fine was imposed on Indian Empire Limited for employing one illegal worker at Parkwall, Crick, near Caldicot.

M and M Car Wash, Park Road, Ebbw Vale, was fined £15,000 for employing three illegal workers.

N & N (Newport) Limited, Corporation Road, Newport, was found employing one illegal worker and was fined £5,000.

When suspected illegal workers are found on premises, UK Border Agency officers issue a notice warning employers they will be fined unless they can prove they carried out legally required checks on non-European staff, such as asking for a passport or work permit.

The fines were imposed after the employers reached the end of the appeal process.

Jane Farleigh, the UK Border Agency's regional director for Wales, said: "These fines underline that our message is clear - we will not tolerate illegal working.

"It is an offence that not only undercuts local businesses but also has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

"There are simple ways of checking a foreign national's right to work and there is no excuse for employers failing to carry out these checks."