The boss of Pizza takeaway said he always carries out the relevant checks on workers and was left shocked after being hit with a fine for the 'use of an illegal worker'.

Village Pizza, based on the High Street, was fined £10,000 and was named in a list of businesses which were fined for employing people they should not have done.

The list and fines cover a period between April and June last year.

And the Little Lever takeaway was among those fined.

The penalty handed out is the smallest among given out to businesses in the north west with others receiving ones as high as £30,000.

And Amanji Kadri, the owner of the business, says he had carried out the checks but says he had not been told about the working restrictions imposed on the worker.

He said: "The reason we got a fine is the guy was working here, he had permission to work, but he only had permission to be a solicitor a pilot or to work in the NHS.

"He had a national insurance number.

"They gave him permission to work, they should have checked.

"If you can be a doctor you are not going to come here and be a cleaner.

"He has now left, this will not happen again."

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A Home Office spokesperson said: “Illegal working undercuts honest employers, puts vulnerable migrants at risk of exploitation, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment and defrauds the public purse.

“Tackling this damaging crime is a key government priority."

The government also warns: "Your business’s details may be published by Immigration Enforcement as a warning to other businesses not to employ illegal workers."

Rules state it is up to the employer to make sure prospective worker has the right to work in the country before bringing them onto the payroll.

Changes brought in as a result of Covid mean a boss can receive documents proving someone has the right to work in the country digitally.

If an applicant cannot show documents it is up to an employer to check with the Home Office on their immigration status.