FORMER bosses of a restaurant once named the best Chinese eaterie in the country by TV chef Gordon Ramsay have been banned from trading.

Back in 2010 Ramsay said the wagyu beef at Yu and You, in Copster Green, was “absolutely beautiful”, as they trumped a Michelin-starred rival to scoop the prize.

But within a few years the business of mother-and-son Ching Yau Yu and Vincent Wai Kit Yu had hit the rocks and their trading company went bust owing creditors nearly £385,000.

An investigation by the Insolvency Service found they failed to declare additional sales of around £600,000 between October 2011 and January 2016.

This resulted in an additional tax bill of just under £120,000. The increased liability remained unpaid though Kai Hing continued to complete and meet quarterly returns before the Longsight Road venue ceased operations in January 2017.

Ching, 70, and Vincent, 39, who used to lived in Old Langho, have now been disqualified as company directors after giving undertakings to the Secretary of State for Business.

While Ching’s four-year ban has already started, the seven-year disqualification for Vincent will start on Christmas Eve, it has been confirmed.

Rob Clarke, the Insolvency Services’ chief investigator, said: “This wasn’t a one-off incident where Vincent and Ching Yu failed to declare their full income as the misdemeanour sustained itself throughout the history of the company.

“Directors are expected to carry out their full responsibilities regardless of their role, including paying the right amount of tax.

“The Yus bans should serve as a warning to others that we will investigate misconduct and pursue disqualification where serious breaches of this nature occur.”

The establishment was also named best Chinese restaurant of the year by the Lancashire Telegraph in 2016 and they also developed a range of ready meals with the Authentic Food Company.

Their restaurant was founded by dad Charlie, who began his working life with a fish and chip shop, before a predecessor to Yu and You was established in Bolton in 1989.

The Copster Green premises launched in 2004, with Vincent’s brother Victor as head chef.

Giving his verdict eight years ago, Ramsay said: “It was not just based on one dish. It was based on the whole experience and Yu and You were able to pull that off. What an amazing family, they are consistent and united.”