A NORTHWICH restaurant is celebrating after picking up a prestigious national award.

Bombay Quay was voted the nation's best curry restaurant at this year's Curry Life Awards, with a glittering ceremony held at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Delighted owner Mohammed Johirul Alom was quick to praise his hard working team, with the recognition being all the sweeter given it was the first time they had ever been entered.

He said: "What a great tribute for us to be recognised in this way.

"The past couple of years have been extremely challenging for businesses like ours – and it is marvellous to emerge from such difficult times with such a top award.

"Our success is very much a team effort – and is all about giving our customers the quality of service that they demand and deserve.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has played a part in achieving this top honour."

The Curry Life Awards celebrate the unique fusion cuisine of Indian food in the UK and are part of a wider organisation that organises the British Curry Festival around the world.

Speaking about the 12 annual Curry Life Awards, Editor of Curry Life Media Group, Syed Belal Ahmed, said: "Over the years we have been staging the awards, we have seen a major stepping up of standards and quality being offered to customers - to the point where several restaurants are in a position to challenge for accolades such as Michelin stars.

"One of the major aims of the awards has always been to highlight best practice going on across the country – so that everyone has the opportunity to learn from the best - and that indeed has always been a driving principle behind Curry Life itself.

"That so many owners have chosen to use their lockdown time to invest in their businesses, and raise standards, is a real credit to the perseverance and ingenuity of all involved.

"We are delighted to recognise these efforts through the Curry Life Awards."

The Curry Life raised just over £2,000 for the British Asian Trust at this year’s awards ceremony and gala dinner.