AT this time of the year it is tradition to reflect and review the events of the past 12 months.

There is always good news and there is often bad – and the same prinicipal can be used for East Lancashire’s astonishing array of takeaways.

Barely a street in the area is without a fast food shop, it is a booming business, and some of them are crackers.

So with this being the final chance of a year to talk kebab it is appropriate to remind you the reader of the pick of the bunch for dodgers of salad.

Kebab fans are well looked after in Nelson and thanks to the efforts of Kismat they have access to one of the best in the area.

Their Peshwari Chapal Kebab is different to the offerings at most – and despite appearances – tastes divine, it is seriously good and if anyone is in need of a New Year’s resolution they should try one. In fact, it should be the law.

Burnley’s Sumbul is another great survivor and after decades is still throwing out kebabs that taste just like they did decades ago, while Blackburn also has plenty of top choices with the likes of Flames, the Nile Original and Caesar Pizza Place just three of the stand-out shops in the town.

Of course there are also some very poor ones... But the Lancashire Telegraph’s legal man started frothing into his coffee at the thought of some of my views appearing in print.

So with the festive spirit still flowing here are the inaugural Golden Kebabs...

  • Best for kebab: Kismat, Nelson
  • Best for home delivery: Khyber, Whalley Range, Blackburn
  • Best for value: Rehman’s Grill, Nelson
  • Best for really late night opening: Sumbul, Burnley
  • Best new kebab shop: Charcoal Cuisine, Blackburn