THREE Indian men were being held after immigration officials raided a Merseyside racecourse.

Officials from the UK Border Agency swooped on Haydock Park at around 6.15am yesterday. It followed a tip-off that employees from a company called Turf Services were working illegally.

The firm is an external supplier of the racecourse, based in Newton-le-Willows, who carry out work on the grass.

Around 15 staff were checked, leading to the arrest of three Indians, all aged 20, who were found to be working in breach of their student visas. The men were questioned and steps are now being taken to remove them from the country. The process could take a few weeks before it is complete.

The planned operation was part of a nationwide crackdown on sham marriages, bogus colleges, organised immigration crime and illegal working. The visit was organised with the co-operation of Haydock Racecourse which was aware of the UK Border Agency visit. A student visa allows a person to work up to around 10 hours a week, but it understood those rules were being contravened. Turf Services was handed a civil penalty notice, and if they cannot prove correct pre-employment checks were carried out on staff, a fine of up to £10,000 per worker will be imposed.

Dickon White, managing director of Haydock Park Racecourse, said: “We worked closely with the UK Border Agency once this situation with one of our suppliers came to our attention. As a responsible business, we have a duty to step up to the plate on this type of matter and we fully support theŠ investigation.”