A WORKER who was named temp of the month by an employment agency was in the country illegally after using a false passport to secure a job.

Gambian kitchen porter Mama Ndow, 20, from Malmesbury Park Road, Bournemouth, admitted possessing false identity documents with intent and fraud.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Clifford Grier said Ndow had arrived in the UK on August 24 2005 with a six-month visa and legitimate passport.

But when immigration officers raided his home on April 23, they found a counterfeit passport and documents.

Ndow was arrested and, after giving a false date of birth, he told officers he had paid £400 for a fake stamp on the counterfeit passport and admitted his visa had expired.

Defending, Paul Hester described his client as "an industrious young man". He said: "Mr Ndow paid his taxes and national insurance contributions. He has not been a burden to society."

Ndow, who worked at the Miramar hotel on East Cliff, was named temp of the month by his employment agency in recognition of his "consistent hard work and dedication".

Jailing Ndow for 12 months, Judge Roger Jarvis told him: "It is very important that if foreign nationals want to make a life in this country they must ensure it is done legitimately."

He recommended that Ndow be deported to Gambia on his release.