A CHINESE takeaway in Ebbw Vale has lost its premises licence over an investigation into illegal working taking place.

Blaenau Gwent council's licensing sub-committee voted to revoke the licence of Kung Fu Takeaway in Church Street, Ebbw Vale, at a meeting on Tuesday.

It comes after a Home Office immigration enforcement visit was made at the takeaway on March 29 last year, where it is alleged two 'illegal workers' were found.

Immigration officer Ian Finnes told the meeting that during an interview with the premises licence holder, it was said one worker was taking orders and serving customers at the counter.

The other was said to be making food in the kitchen for customers.

Mr Finnes said the workers only received food and accommodation and were not paid a wage.

Such incidents have a "huge impact" on legitimate businesses who abide by employment law, Mr Finnes said.

However, the licence premises holder said only one of the two people was working at the takeaway.

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Speaking through a translator, the licence holder said she offered one of the people a place to live and eat, but said he did not work at the premises.

The licence holder said the man was in the process of appealing his legal status in the UK and had been complying with police.

"She did not charge and it was not in exchange for labour or employment," the translator told the panel of three councillors.

"He was just living upstairs."

The licence holder said the other person, a woman, had worked at the takeaway but only for a short period of time.

"The lady was helping out because she had been diagnosed with cancer and they felt sorry for her so allowed her to be at the premises," the translator said.

A civil penalty of £20,000 has been issued to the takeaway.

However the licence holder says she intends to appeal the decision.

She said she is "fully aware" of the need to check documentation proving people have a right to work in the UK and will "learn her lesson."

Announcing the council's decision, solicitor Martin Woodland said the sub-committee felt the incidents were a "serious breach" of the license's crime and disorder objectives.

The takeaway has 21 days to appeal the decision.