CURRY mad shoppers in Blackburn spiced up their life yesterday with free curry giveaway in the town centre.

Around 1,000 people, lured by the tempting smells wafting down King William Street took part in the mammoth sampler session celebrating Asian food.

The event was organised by the Asian Millennium Festival Committee, which is made up of the Blackburn with Darwen Festivals Committee, the Kashmiri Association and QAAF, the Queens Park, Audley Advisory Forum.

Naushad Surve, chairman of the Asian Millennium Festivals Committee said: "It's been absolutely wonderful. Everyone has enjoyed it. It's great that the ethnic and indigenous communities are celebrating something together. It's been a real cosmopolitan affair."

The event cost around £1,000 to stage, with a £500 donation from Blackburn with Darwen Council and the difference being made up by the festival committee. Staff from the New Tandoori Kitchen in Darwen Street rallied to the task of cooking up 150 lbs of fresh meat and vegetables, plus three sacks of rice and around 800 popadoms.

Tucking into a chicken karia and rice, Anita Doonan of Blackburn said: "It's quite nice actually. I'm not a great curry eater myself but my husband loves it. He'd have it for every meal if he could."

Meanwhile, Lesley Bevan of Blackburn declared her free lunch "Beautiful!"

"We quite often have curry at home," she said between mouthfuls.

"I think more and more people are eating it nowadays, it's not like it was a few years ago."

And Malcom Armstrong from Blackburn also had good things to say.

"It's very pleasant and being free it's excellent value for money!"

Bastwell ward councillor Mr Mahfooz Hussain said: "Events like this help people to understand each other's cultures and beliefs -- as well as providing some excellent food!"

Picture: Shadsworth councillor Charles Mills (left) with chefs Mohammed Ashraf and Zamir Kham