Owner of an Ealing curry house expressed delight after picking up a top national award, nominated for by their customers.

Local restaurant owner Manik Miah and his staff received a special national award for their work at the Haweli Indian Restaurant in 127 Uxbridge Road, Ealing.

The eatery picked up the title Best Customers' Choice Restaurant in this year's prestigious National Curry Awards - staged by Curry Life magazine at a glittering event at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Miah told Curry Life: "What a great tribute for us to be recognised in this way – especially as we have been nominated by the people who matter most, our customers!

"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."

He added: "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."

Commenting on the importance of the awards, President of the CBI and Chairman of Cobra Beer, Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE, said: "Like many business sectors over the past couple of years, the hospitality industry has been through the ringer because of the Covid pandemic.

"It is great to see it not only emerging from this dark period but also leading the way for other business sectors.

"Now that the economy is gathering momentum, it is truly heart-warming and instructive to hear of some of the stories of innovation, and pure hard work, emerging from this year's Curry Life Awards.

"Well done to Curry Life for once again throwing a spotlight onto these examples of best practice and the brilliant people behind them."

Other guests at the event included: Gagan Mahindra MP, Aaron Bell MP, Greg Smith, Angela Richardson MP, Charlotte Nicols MP, Wes Streeting MP, Celebrity Chef Atul Kochhar, Dominic Chapman and Mridula Baljejekar.

The Curry Life raised just over £2,000 for the British Asian Trust at this year's Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.