AN East Lancashire restaurant is in line for a prestigious food award – providing its curries can win favour with the country’s MPs.

Shajan Indian Restaurant, in Clayton-le-Dale, will compete in a cook-off at the House of Commons tomorrow in the Veetee Tiffin Cup.

The annual competition, known as the Curry Cup, is run by MPs to recognise the quality of Asian food in the UK and raise money for charity.

The Shajan, in Longsight Road, earned its place among the 11 finalists after being nominated by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who is a regular.

Shaju Ali, owner of the Shajan, said the team were delighted at being nominated for the final.

He said: “It is a great honour and we are really looking forward to the day.

"We aren’t deciding what dish to cook until the last minute. The chef has been in trying out a few things.

“We want to do something authentic as this is what we specialise in, but we don’t want to go too far either.”

The restaurant is currently undergoing a £400,000 facelift, due to be finished in August.

Mr Ali said: “We want to build a really successful restaurant here with a reputation for fantastic food and service.

"Getting into this final will hopefully put us on the map even more.”

The dish cooked by the Shajan will go before a panel of judges today, including celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot, MP Keith Vaz and EastEnders star Nina Wadia.

Mr Evans said: “I am delighted that Shajan has made it into the final of the Veetee Tiffin Cup.

"This is such a prestigious award and I will certainly be there to support them, and I am sure everyone in East Lancashire will get behind them as well.”