THE Shomraat Indian restaurant in Upper Hale has closed its doors for good - just months after receiving a hefty £10,000 fine for employing an illegal immigrant.

Acting on intelligence, Home Office officials raided the eatery in January and found a 29-year-old man from Bangladesh who had overstayed his visa.

On April 9 the restaurant was served a Civil Penalty notice of £10,000, and a Home Office spokesman confirmed this penalty has since been paid in full.

The Shomraat closed permanently late last month in the wake of the fine, and lettings agent Park Steele has confirmed a fish and chip restaurant run by the former owners of Kingfish in Station Hill is set to take its place.