HUNDREDS of Indian food fans spiced up the centre of Congleton on Sunday for a charity event with a difference.

Taste of Raj restaurant owner Anam Islam was hoping to raise about £150,000 for local groups on Sunday with an Indian feast and entertainment.

Four and five course meals were served in his Lawton Street restaurant and also inside a marquee nearby.

Although he had been hoping for 10,000 people to join in the event a much smaller number actually descended on the town, possibly due to the bad weather.

But more than 300 people ate their way through a £15 meal on the day and hundreds more turned up to watch the entertainment and everyone was pleased with the result.

"It was very good, we haven't sorted everything out yet as there were lots of credit cards," said Mr Islam.

"Hundreds of people came along to watch the programme we had on and we were quite pleased with the turnout.

"The whole aim was to do something for the community of Congleton and bring people together."

Mr Islam, who lives in Somerford, raised £250,000 for charity with a similar event two years ago at his Manchester restaurant.

He owns three restaurants, including another in Sandbach, and is hoping to divide the final amount between a variety of local charities and organisations.

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