SEVEN Thai women arrested in a series of vice raids in the North-East are facing deportation, it was confirmed last night.

The women were detained after an operation during which police and immigration officers searched properties in Darlington and Teesside.

The raids, carried out on Tuesday, also led to two men being held on suspicion of involvement in organised prostitution.

The pair, both in their 30s, were released on bail yesterday after being questioned at Darlington police station.

The Home Office said last night that all of the arrested women, who are in their 20s and 30s, were illegal immigrants and were expected to be deported.

They were initially taken to a detention centre in Spennymoor, County Durham, where they were questioned by immigration officials.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "All were found to be in the country illegally and we are seeking to remove them at the earliest possible opportunity."

Five women were arrested at a shop and residential property in Victoria Road, while another two were found at a house in Gurney Street, both Darlington.

Officers also raided addresses in Victoria Embankment, Corporation Road and Thompson Street West, all Darlington, and a home on Stockton's Ragworth estate.

Durham Police said cash and documents seized during the raids would be the subject of an investigation by its assets recovery team.