Calne's Spice of Bengal is the hottest Indian restaurant in the South West after winning a national award.

The Wood Street restaurant, owned and run by Ala Uddin for ten years, was named the Best Indian in the South West after being nominated by the Bangladesh Caterers Association.

Mr Uddin took along staff and family to the ceremony, where he received a trophy and a certificate.

He said: “It was amazing to win, just so unbelievable and exciting.

“There were so many famous people there, like MPs and celebrities. I saw Masood from EastEnders who was very nice to me. He looks much better than he does on the TV, much younger. I told him that too.”

Around 1,200 people attended the ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London, with four restaurants from 11 different regions in the UK nominated for awards.

VIPs at the event apart from EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra included Daybreak presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan and Bollywood singer Ash King.

Mr Uddin said: “I was the fifth person to hear they had won the award. We didn’t know before the night that we were going to win and it was such a great surprise.

“I was so nervous when I got up on the stage in front of that many people and I had to give a little speech, but it was a great night.

“All the staff were so excited to be there with me, and it meant so much to all of them, especially my chef. I was very proud and honoured and I am so happy that we won.”

The restaurant is about to undergo a refurbishment but will remain open throughout.