A PEEBLES takeaway has been named the best in the Borders at the annual Scottish Asian Restaurant Awards.

Shukria, in Northgate, was awarded the Just Eat Best Takeaway/Delivery Restaurant – Scottish Borders gong at a ceremony held earlier this week at Edinburgh's Sheraton Hotel.

More than 50 restaurants were shortlisted.

They were nominated online by the public and narrowed down to just a small number of winners recognising the best Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Nepalese restaurants and takeaways in the country.

BBC broadcaster and journalist, Samantha Simmonds made the presentation.

Proud Shukria owner Anayeth Hussain told the Peeblesshire News: “Ours is a family run business and I took over three years ago.

"This award is a very big thing for us as we were competing against many other take away shops in the Scottish Borders.

"Our customers nominated us then the organisers visited secretly to check out the quality of our food and service before we were shortlisted.

"The whole family is delighted and proud and I am determined to keep up our excellent service. We want the best for our customers who are like family to us.

“We are always very busy and cater for locals and in the summertime tourists from caravans and visitors to Glentress. I was presented with a certificate to mark our win and it will be proudly displayed in our window.”

The shop opens between 5pm and 10pm each night apart from Tuesdays when they are closed.

On announcing the winners, Asian Catering Federation Chairman Yawar Khan said: “I would like to thank all our sponsors, supporters and members who have made these awards possible. The Scottish Asian Restaurant Awards are a key event for our industry. Not only do they celebrate the excellence of Asian and Oriental restaurants in Scotland, but they also recognise the significant contribution our industry makes to the economy and the hardworking people in our food industry.”

Pat Chapman, chief judge and author of the Good Curry Guide added: “I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank you for your excellent cuisine and commitment to our industry.”