THE owner of a takeaway shop has made it through to the finals of the Pizza Chef of the Year awards.

Paul Lloyd, who owns The Cooking Pot on Windsor Road, Knuzden, will attend the competition at the London Olympia, which will be judged by celebrity chef, Theo Randall.

The 39-year-old from Blackburn made it to the semi-finals of the competition last year but is hoping to walk away with a winner's trophy when this years' finals take place on November 15.

Mr Lloyd, who's been running The Cooking Pot for the last four years, said: "I'm entering my New York Meat Feast which includes pork mince, garlic sausage and pepperoni.

"It's the second time I've entered these awards and it would be brilliant if I could win this year."