AN Indian restaurant is going from strength to strength, having spent 15 years at the heart of the community.

Gias Uddin, owner of the Refa Tandoori in Market Place, Melksham, moved to the town from Bangladesh 15 years ago.

To celebrate the curry house's birthday Mr Uddin held a dinner in aid of Melksham Homework Club, which raised £250.

The father-of-four goes to great efforts to keep the restaurant at the centre of the community.

He organised a meal to raise £1,395 for the Tsunami Appeal and raised funds to build houses for victims of the floods in Bangladesh last year.

Every year about 60 children from Aloeric Primary School visit the restaurant as part of their lessons about India.

They dress in traditional Indian clothes, and sample different dishes. Mr Uddin has kept all their thank-you letters.

He said: "I like to help the community and people are very friendly, which is the main reason I stay here."

Mr Uddin's latest venture is to hold banquet nights on Sundays and Thursdays.

Customers can sample nine dishes, as well as nan bread and rice, for £8.50.

Mr Uddin said this provides a more typical Indian eating experience than just having one type of curry with rice.

Refa Tandoori specialises in Balti dishes, served in traditional Balti bowls. Afterwards betelnut leaves, grated betelnut and aniseed are given as a natural way to freshen the palate.

All women diners are given a flower after their meal and Mr Uddin said he has a large number of regular customers, who come from as far away as Hampshire.

The hottest curry he serves is Phall, which he said makes a good 'flu remedy, but he said many people wrongly believe all Indian food is very spicy.

His menu includes a long list of Balti dishes to suit all tastes, including vegetarian options, and also has a wide variety of other types of curry and starters, including tandoori fish, which comes strongly recommended.