A POPULAR food business in Malpas is celebrating a superb achievement after it was named in the UK top 10 for customer satisfaction at the British Kebab Awards 2018.

Malpas Barbeque, in Church Street, received the nod alongside fellow takeaways and restaurants across the country, including six in London.

Hakan Gulcicek, who owns and runs the five-star rated eaterie, admitted he was a little shocked when he found out and hopes everyone gets behind them.

"We are in the first 10 and then we need to keep going," he said. "The judges have told us to speak to our MP and a councillor as we might get more points if they vote for us. We're hoping to arrange something with them.

"I'm so proud – we're such a small village and we're the top 10 of the whole UK. I was shocked when they rung me to tell me and I'm really proud. I'm interested to see what happens now.

"It's down to the people who I work with and for me. My dad, Ali, has 35 years experience in making restaurant and takeaway food and has been brilliant for me.

"I just hope that everyone gets behind us and helps, while I think it would be good for the whole of Cheshire too to have a reputation for good service.

"It shows that a place like Malpas can get into the top 10 – it was quite emotional for me and we're a new business as well, only two years and we've recently had our second five-star rating."

The final winners will be announced in London on March 12 and founder Ibrahim Dogus said: “Kebab is fast becoming the nation’s favourite food so it is only right that the superheroes behind this phenomenon are recognised.

“This, the sixth year of the competition, is the toughest. Every British Kebab Award finalist should be congratulated for making it through in our most hotly contested year yet."