THE owner of a Darwen restaurant has said that increased competition in the town has kept him wanting to improve every year.

Anaz Indian Restaurant, which is based in Duckworth Street, has been voted the best Indian after taking 30 per cent of the votes.

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Owner and manager Makhlis Ali said: “It’s great to have won this award as it has been voted for by the public.

“My customers have made this restaurant what it is today.

“I have been in Darwen a long time and things have changed quite a bit over the years.

“The number of competitors has gone up all and that makes things harder.

“It keeps you trying to improve though and you can’t afford to make any mistakes.

“I think that I have been able to my this business a success and it’s down to the customers liking what we offer here.

“It’s great to have won and it means a lot that people who have come here before have taken the time to vote.”

The restaurant, which has been open in the town since 1981, beat fellow Darwen eatery Akash into second place as it attracted 23 per cent of the vote.

In third place was Roomali, which is based in Blackburn, as it got 17 per cent of votes.

Mr Ali said he wanted to pay tribute to his customers and hoped that they have a good Christmas and a happy New Year.

He added that he would not have had the same level of success without them.