A GLASGOW Indian restaurant has been named restaurant of the year at the Scottish Curry Awards.

Akbar's in Sauchiehall Street beat off eateries from across the country at a ceremony last night at the city's Thistle Hotel.

The prize, sponsored by the Bank of Scotland, was one of two awards for the curry house, which was also named the best restaurant in Glasgow.

More than 9,000 nominations were made for Indian restaurants all over Scotland.

The regional sections of the restaurant of the year prize were won by Echt Tandoori in Aberdeen, Coriander in Oban, and Bombay Brasseries in Dunfermline and Akash in Helensburgh.

The Bangla Kitchen in Edinburgh took home the takeaway of the year prize, and Matin Khan of Itihaas in Dalkeith, Midlothian, was named as the chef of the year.

The Indian Cavalry Club in the capital also scooped the best restaurant design prize and the Shezan restaurant won the best Edinburgh restaurant title.

There was success too for Sukdev "Cook" Gill, who is involved in the rapidly expanding Cook & Indi's World Buffet chain. He was named curry king of the year.

Meanwhile, the North Ayrshire restaurant, Gulab Tandoori, based in Irvine, beat off big names from Edinburgh and Glasgow for the team prize.

The ceremony was described as a 'fantastic evening' with more than 500 people in attendance.

They were entertained by writer, actor and comedian Omar Raza and Bollywood dancers.