A Bradford restaurateur is planning to expand his curry empire after business has doubled.

Mohammed Aslam, managing director of the Aagrah chain of restaurants, has submitted an application to extend the Shipley headquarters.

The proposals, which would cost about £150,000, include building a first-floor extension at the Saltaire Road building to provide a second dining room and a second kitchen.

Mr Aslam said business had increased by 200 per cent since the restaurant moved from Westgate about a year ago.

"We have been struggling for space and if this gets the go-ahead we will be able to seat a further 110 diners," he said.

"Since we moved we've done a lot better than we expected and every night we could take at least twice as many diners if we had the room."

The new dining room would offer a mixed buffet of Thai, Indian, Pakistani and Chinese cuisine.

"We will still be offering our 14-page a la carte menu downstairs but diners will be able to experience a wider range of Asian foods upstairs," said Mr Aslam.

And he said the restaurant's distinct elephant Lulu - which sits on top of the roof - would be found a home within the building.

"We'll certainly be hanging on to her as she's a popular feature," said Mr Aslam.

The extension would also create a least ten new jobs.

Food for the chain's other restaurants - in Pudsey, Skipton, Denby Dale, Wakefield, Garforth, Doncaster and Tadcaster - is prepared at the Shipley base but cooked at the respective restaurants.

The application is expected to go before Shipley planners in the new year.

Written representations can be sent to Shipley Town Hall.