A Bury curry restaurant was officially crowned with the top prize at a prestigious hospitality awards ceremony.

Bombay Cuisine won Best Takeaway in Greater Manchester at this year's Euro Asia Curry Awards on Mayfair Avenue, Essex on Monday.

The Euro Asia Curry Awards are organised by Bangladeshi chef, Shorif Kahn, who has cooked for several well-known figures, including Theresa May, and brings together over 200 curry restaurants from across the country, to be judged by a panel of judges.

Shorif started the awards in 2015 to celebrate and support the curry industry and all the small businesses that contribute to it.

Entrants are judged in a variety of categories, including finest cuisine, customer service and atmosphere.

Hassan Ali, manager of Bombay Cuisine, said: "We were really excited to be up for this award and the fact that we have won shows how much our customers have supported us throughout these difficult times.

"Of course, Covid-19 affected us just like everyone else, but luckily doing things through a takeaway service has really helped us.

"We'd like to thank all our regular customers for supporting us through all this, as there are so many other businesses that closed and the only reason we made it was because of them."

He added: "This business means so much to me, and this award has given me more motivation to carry on working as hard as possible, because when you win one award, you want to push on, win another and be the best in the area.

"Through the support of the local people we have managed to open a new takeaway, called Burger Joint on Bury Old Road, and because our customers know it is under the same ownership and they are so loyal, they have followed us there."

Shorif emphasized how important it is to recognise the hospitality industry, which got hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: "After such a difficult period for restaurants up and down the country, it feels fantastic to be able to showcase and celebrate some of the most talented and hardworking people in our industry.

"Not only do these businesses contribute a great deal to the UK economy, they're also loved by their communities.

"It's wonderful to see them all open again and thriving."