TWO employees at a car wash were found to have been working in the UK 'illegally' after immigration officers carried out a raid.

Immigration enforcement officers visited the Shiny Hand Car Wash in Barrow following a tip-off.

Two men, from Iraq and Iran, were working illegally at the business in Roose Road, the Home Office said.

A spokeswoman said neither of them had permission to work in the UK.

The men have been released on immigration bail following the visit.

The car wash was served a referral notice by the Home Office and is now facing a fine of up to £40,000 if it cannot be proved the two men had the right to work in the UK.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Immigration Enforcement visited Shiny Hand Car Wash on an intelligence-led visit on June 17.

"Two males, one Iraqi and one Iranian were encountered working illegally at the premises. 

"Both males had no permission to work in the UK and were released on immigration bail.

"The business was served a referral noticed based on the two illegal workers, meaning a potential civil penalty fine of up to £40,000."

The spokeswoman added: “The Government is tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes by removing those with no right to be in the UK.

“We continue to work with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms. 

"Our New Plan for Immigration will fix the broken system; making it fair to those in genuine need and firm on those who seek to abuse it.” 

Eyewitnesses spotted the immigration enforcement van outside the car wash at around 6.30pm on Friday.

Bosses of the car wash were approached for comment and said they were awaiting the result of the referral.

Barrow MP Simon Fell said: "I know that the police have been doing some work on this recently, alerting local businesses to the risks of employing people with no right to work in the UK.

"What appears to be cheap labour that can be kept off the books can be very costly indeed."

Immigration officers were last witnessed in Barrow last year when they visited a restaurant and takeaway.

Immigration enforcement officers and officers from the Cumbria police licensing team visited Barrow Indian Cuisine in October.

The restaurant was served with an illegal working referral notice for the employment of three members of staff – Bangladeshi nationals – who the Home Office said had no permission to work in the UK.

The business later closed and surrendered its licence to sell alcohol.