THOUSANDS of people around the Bolton borough have voted for their favourite restaurants in the Bolton Evening News' Eating Out Awards.

At the same time, a panel of judges has been reviewing the Eating Out columns throughout the year to select the very best.

At stake are the Bolton Evening News' Restaurant of the Year 2001 trophy, plus two Highly Commended restaurants, from the weekly reviews.

And one restaurant will also take the trophy for the most votes sent in to the BEN Readers' Restaurant of the Year competition.

The winners will be following in the illustrious footsteps of last year's title-holders.

JJ's Restaurant in Longcauseway, Farnworth, took the BEN's own top award. And Shaju's at Adlington, and the Crown and Thistle at Grimehills near Edgworth, were both awarded Highly Commended plaques.

Readers' own favourite was the Royal Balti House on Market Street, Farnworth, which polled a massive number of votes last year.

Now, the polls have closed and the votes have been counted.

And next month, the BEN will be announcing the winners of all the awards -- and revealing the many contenders -- in a special supplement.

So, watch out for the BEN Good Food Guide 2001 .... and make a meal of it!