A man applying for a job with Hounslow Council has been sentenced to nine months in prison after handing over a fake passport.

Eagle-eyed council workers noticed the portuguese passport handed over by Lauris Kodaz, 32, from Hayes, had a number of irregularities, including listing Kodaz's name as Kolats.

Kodaz who is believed to be of Ukrainian nationality had been applying for a job as a porter at Western International Market in Southall when asked to hand over identification.

Noticing genuine security features were missing the HR department alerted the specialist fraud investigators at Hounslow Council, which after closer inspection contacted the police and immigration agencies Police arrested Kodaz with the help of the council's fraud investigators and on searching his house found a number of other counterfeit passports.

Councillor Gerald McGregor, lead member for finance, at Hounslow Council, said: "The local authority, as a responsible employer, vets potential new employees to ensure they are genuine.

"In instances where documents are put forward as proof of identity, we always check them thoroughly to determine authenticity, and if people offer us fake information, we will take firm and appropriate action."

Kodaz was sentenced to nine months on April 14 and was recommended for deportation on completion of his sentence.