RESTAURANT owners Subhas and Geeta Kotecha have spoken of their delight to have been shortlisted for an Oscar — of the curry world.

Their curry house Spice Valley is up for an award in the Best Spice Restaurant in the Best Spice Restaurant in the North West category.

Mrs Kotecha said: " It is really exciting to be nominated — it means so much to have been shortlisted because it is our customers who voted for us.

"It makes it extra special.

"We have been here for 12 years and have always been supported by the community . We do not see the people who come to the restaurant as customers — they are more like a social circle."

The couple run two restaurants on in The Valley — which has been nominated for the award — and the other in The Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park.

Mrs Kotecha, aged 53, said: "We always use fresh ingredients and local produce in our dishes and we do see the same people come back."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the of the awards which will take place on December 1 and the UK's number one food will be celebrated by celebrities, foodies and MPS, with Prime Minister David Cameron being a guest at last year's award ceremony.

The British Curry Awards was established by British entrepreneur and restaurateur Enam Ali.

He said:“On the occasion of this momentous, ten-year year anniversary of the British Curry Awards, we continue to celebrate the hard work and commitment of the thousands of curry restaurants and their staff who deliver to their customers one of the most iconic cuisines of contemporary Britain.

"As they say, curry was born in India but has been made great in Britain.”

Event Director and Producer, Justine Ali added:“Marking our 10th anniversary, we have some great surprises lined up once again with some household names and great entertainment. It?s going to be a night to remember.”