Immigration officers raided an Indian restaurant earlier this evening and arrested two men.

Officers inspected Spice Fusion in Deanwood Drive, Rainham, at about 6pm.

An eye witness said staff had been made to sit in a booth under guard at the front of the restaurant while two officers searched outside with torches.

Two Bangladeshi men were taken away by immigration officers.

A 44-year-old was arrested on suspicion of working in breach of his visa conditions, and a 34-year-old was arrested on suspicion of overstaying his visa.

Both have been detained.

The manager, Mr Huque, said: "It's not great it's happened on a busy Friday night.

"We are one of the busiest restaurants in the area, and obviously this kind of thing is not great for business."

Three immigration enforcement vans were parked in bays near the front of the building.

Officers had left the restaurant by 7pm.

An earlier version of our story said Spice Fusion was shut during the raid. We're happy to clarify that customers were inside the restaurant.