A BOURNEMOUTH curry house has won the top accolade at an industry awards ceremony in London.

The Westbourne Tandoori in Seamoor Road was voted the Best Indian Restaurant in the UK at the 2021 Currylife Awards, held in London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sunday October 10.

The event was hosted by the BBC's Angela Rippon CBE and Mike Bushell.

Owner Anwar Hussain purchased the restaurant in 2015 and said: “I am so thrilled to accept the award on behalf of all my loyal customers, my professional team and the Indian restaurant industry.

Bournemouth Echo: Angela Rippon CBE and Westbourne Tandoori owner Anwar HussainAngela Rippon CBE and Westbourne Tandoori owner Anwar Hussain

“Bringing this award back to Bournemouth is something quite special particularly after such a trying 18 months for everyone.

“I look forward to showing it to all our customers and continuing to deliver a service worthy of this top award – we can't get recognition of any higher standard in the UK. Thank you to everyone who voted for us over the past months and to Currylife for putting on such a superb and entertaining event.”

Angela Rippon said of Anwar's achievement: “It is so refreshing to see a young restaurateur succeeding at this level – a well done Anwar and the Westbourne Tandoori team.”

Anwar added: “I think what separates us from others is that we’re not just a restaurant, it’s an experience to eat here. We are very different in what we do and what we offer our customers.

“We have free live events this Halloween for example from October 29 to 31, as well as events at Christmas and New Year. I hope people who haven’t been here before will come and see what we're about.”

The Curry Life Media Group is the main organiser of the awards and recognise “the individuals who represent the very best of the British curry industry and have shown innovation and inspiration in their work”.