Several illegal immigrants from India have been arrested for working in breach of immigration rules while three companies have been fined nearly 100,000 pounds for employing them.

Nine Indians were arrested recently in the east Midlands town of Leicester, where the three companies were based. The UK Border Agency released details of the raids and warned other companies that it would continue to carry out unannounced checks.

During the raid on Fashion Fair, officers sealed all the exits and questioned the workers. Two Indians, aged 33 and 46 were arrested. One had come to the UK illegally, while the other was working in breach of his visa conditions.

At the same time, Impress Clothing was raided and three men who tried to run away were arrested. There was a 27-year-old man from India with a false Bulgarian passport and two other Indians, aged 26 and 56, who were found to be failed asylum-seekers.

UK Border Agency staff also raided Pizza Pan Takeaway and detained five illegal immigrants.

Gail Adams, regional director of the UK Border Agency, said, "Employers who don't play by the rules will get struck off our register, lose the right to recruit staff from outside Europe, face on-the-spot fines and could potentially end up in jail".