Five immigration offenders from China have been found at a restaurant in Saundersfoot.

The enforcement operation was part of planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Acting on information received, officers from the agency went to Summer Palace, on High Street, at about 6.40 pm on July 13.

After checking the immigration status of people on site, officers found five offenders.

A 42-year-old chef was found to be a failed asylum seeker who had not left the UK as required when his claim for protection was turned down, while a 23-year-old waiter and 26-year-old cook were found to have entered the country illegally.

A 28-year-old woman working there was found to be doing so in breach of the conditions of her student visa.

When officers carried out a search of attached accommodation, a fifth offender was found - a 24-year-old man who had failed to leave the UK once his asylum claim was turned down.

He remains in immigration detention pending his removal from the UK, while the other offenders must report to a local police station while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

Summer Palace was served with a civil penalty notice for employing the four offenders seen working.

If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally-required checks were carried out before giving the workers jobs, a fine of up to £10,000 for each offender will be imposed - up to £40,000 in total

Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said: "The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer. We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

"Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

"That's why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally."

Jane Farleigh, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Wales and the South West, added: "This successful operation shows that our officers will find immigration offenders wherever they are across Pembrokeshire and we carry out frequent operations to track them down."

Advice for employers about how to employ migrant workers legally is available from the UK Border Agency on http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/">http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/

Anyone who has information on immigration offenders in Wales can phone the UK Border Agency on 029 2092 4665.