The biggest Indian restaurant in the world is putting Cleckheaton on the map with its television fame.

The 860-seat Aakash restaurant, on Bradford Road, has been chosen by the BBC to appear in the forthcoming Restoration series as a fine example of a renovated building.

The 147-year-old Victorian chapel was restored to its former glory in 2001 after being rescued by local businessman Mohammed Iqbal Tabassum.

Mr Tabassum said: "When I first saw the building it was shocking. It was in a very bad state and I thought to myself someone needs to have the courage to bring this building back to life."

The old Providence Place congregational chapel, which at its peak used to hold 3,000 people, was in such a bad state of repair it was placed on the English heritage buildings at-risk register.

But 32 months after taking on the £1.75 million restoration project the Grade II-star listed building was open for business.

"It took 18 months just to get planning permission and a further 13 months to do the work but it looks better now than when it was built in 1857," said Mr Tabassum.

"I am very proud of it and it is such a beautiful piece of architecture."

The two-storey building was built by the same architects, Lockwood and Mawson, who designed St George's Hall in Bradford and Shipley Town Hall, both admired for their elaborate decor and high ceilings.

Mr Tabassum said: "The upstairs of the building is very beautiful. You just have to see it to appreciate it."

The restaurant is to feature as a "saved" building in the 60-minute programme, presented by Griff Rhys Jones, above, when it goes out on BBC2 next week.

Film crews from production company Endemol spent two days filming at the site in February, interviewing customers and former chapel worshippers about the restoration scheme.

An Endemol spokesman said: "We chose the Aakash restaurant in Cleckheaton as one of our good news stories because it is a fascinating and adventurous use of a listed building with such a wonderful story to tell."

But the restaurant's fame doesn't end there. Film crews are set to return in July when the restaurant will appear in a BBC1 programme, 50 Things To Eat Before You Die, presented by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot.

The Restoration programme featuring the Aakash can be seen on May 8 at 9.25pm on BBC2.