Purveyors of one of Glasgow�s most famous culinary inventions � the chicken tikka masala � could soon be legally required to recognise the city�s role in its inception.

Purveyors of one of Glasgow's most famous culinary inventions - the chicken tikka masala - could soon be legally required to recognise the city's role in its inception.

A campaign has been launched to have the curry placed on the exclusive list of "protected" regional foods which already includes Cornish pasties and Arbroath smokies.

Chicken tikka masala is said to be the most popular curry in Britain. It is understood to have been created by Ali Ahmed Aslam, the owner of the Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow's west end.

He apparently came up with the recipe after a diner complained about the dryness of his tandoori chicken. In response he put together a sauce using spices infused in a tin of tomato soup.

Asif Ali, the current manager of the Shish Mahal, said he was confident Glasgow's bid to be officially recognised as the city of the curry's origin would succeed.

Mr Ali said: "We could call it the Glasgow chicken tikka masala' or even Shish Mahal chicken tikka masala.' "We consider ourselves to be Glaswegians first and Scottish second so we are proud to have invented it here."

With the support of the government, food producers can apply to the EU for Protected Designation of Origin, which will protect food that is prepared in a specific geographic area, using recognised local knowledge.

Mohammed Sarwar MP said he would table a motion in the House of Commons to assist in the bid.

Mr Sarwar said: "Chicken tikka masala is a favourite dish of mine and I am very proud it was created in Glasgow at the Shish Mahal.

"The restaurant is an old, established name in Glasgow.

"I will be putting down a motion in the House of Commons for support."