A CURRY company from the Bradford district is celebrating after scooping a hat-trick of prestigious awards.

Shimla Spice, which has restaurants in Shipley and Keighley, won three accolades at the English Curry Awards 2015.

Group manager Faisal Hussain was named Curry King 2015, the company's Shipley venue won Yorkshire Restaurant of the Year, while a new venture in Burnley took home the New Restaurant of the Year accolade.

"It is a hat-trick," said a delighted Mr Hussain. "We are honoured and very delighted."

Mr Hussain joined the family-run business at the age of 16, working in roles such as waiter. Now 24, he has progressed to group manager. He was nominated by customers for the Curry King or Queen award, which celebrates an individual who has engrossed themselves in the curry industry and successfully emerged at the forefront of the industry.

"The Curry King was the biggest award of the evening," said Mr Hussain. "It is given to an individual that has done fantastically well.

"It is usually given to someone who has been in the trade for 30 to 40 years. To achieve it at such a young age is fantastic. I am quite shocked to have won Curry King at such a young age."

He added: "I started off working as a waiter and learned the job inside out.

"I have thought about it in the past, but I always thought I was too young. But people have said that I have done so much in a short time and that I could do it."

The Yorkshire Restaurant of the Year award honours the venue which serves up the finest curry cuisine and atmosphere in the county. Shimla beat off competition from Balti House in Shipley, Aagrah in Leeds, Viraaj in Sheffield, Pabna in Pontefract, Hansas Gujarati Vegetarian Restaurant in Leeds, and Cafe Naaz in Rotherham to win the award.

On the award for the new Shimla restaurant in Burnley, Lancashire, Mr Hussain said: "It is a great achievement. Going over the border and doing so well gives Bradford a really good name.

"We have a good name in Yorkshire so if we opened a new restaurant here it would be bound to do well. We wanted to go out of the comfort zone. And within four months we have won such a big award."

The category rewards and recognises those who have managed to successfully open and run a new restaurant despite economic challenges.

Shimla was voted the best new restaurant ahead of Karikana in Nottingham, Praza by Pushkar in Birmingham, Shabir's Restaurant in Doncaster, and Pappadams in Reading.

Mr Hussain added: "We have won some amazing awards over the years."

Shimla has enjoyed success at the English Curry Awards before, winning the Best Indian Restaurant in England in 2013. Other accolades include the Best Food and Drink Business of the Year at the 2014 Keighley Business Awards and the Telegraph & Argus Restaurant of The Year 2012.

Shimla Spice is once again on the team representing Bradford in the city's quest to be crowned Curry Capital of Britain for the fifth year running.

"We are the only Indian restaurant that has helped Bradford win Curry Capital for four years running," said Mr Hussain. "We are in this year's team as well."

The Curry Capital winner will be announced next month.