AN INDIAN restaurant in Swindon has had its licence revoked because councillors didn't believe four men who admitted working there without the right to do so were just visiting.

And a petition signed by more than 50 customers of the Taj Mahal in Shawridge Leisure Centre asking the borough council's Licensing Panel to let restaurant stay open did not sway the verdict.

Wiltshire Police had applied to the council's panel to review the restaurant and bar's licence after a visit by Home Office immigration officers in June.

Four men were detained: two were found hiding on the roof and one after running out of the door.

All four come from Bangladesh and while two admitted working at the business, two said they didn't but 'helped out' but without pay.

But the licensed supervisor Mahar Ullah told the panel that none of them were working - they were just visiting staff and had been allowed to stay in rooms above the restaurant.

Mr Ullah's solicitor Sabbir Ahmed said: "Mr Ullah is clear on this. They were not working there, not even helping out. It's true that they had not right to be in the country - but there is no evidence to suggest they were working at all. They were all in casual clothes - if they'd been working in the kitchen they'd have to be in whites, if they were waiters, they'd have been in uniform, not jeans and trainers."

Asked by panel chairman Coun Vera Tomlinson why the men would have admitted either working or helping out, Mr Ahmed said: "If people are here illegally, when interviewed they often say these things to elicit sympathy. They make out they are a victim, and also to show they are not relying on public resources, that they're working and making a contribution."

Before the panel considered its decision, it was given a petition signed by diners at the Taj Mahal requesting the licence not be revoked.

But the councillors said the statements by the four men from Bangladesh were credible and decided to revoke the Taj Mahal's licence.

The restaurant's license is not removed immediately.

Mr Ullah has 21 days in which to appeal - if he does the licence remains in place until the matter is decided by magistrates.

He said: "I will appeal. I have to run a business."

Mr Ullah declined to say anything further.