A NEW roadside restaurant is hoping to curry favour with food lovers in the region.

The vast majority of Indian restaurants are found in town centres, and are usually a haven for late-night drinkers who stumble out of pubs and clubs in search of food.

But they will have to walk a long way if they want to eat in the Akbar Dynasty.

The restaurant has opened on the A66, near Sadberge, between Middlesbrough and Darlington. Its owners chose the location carefully because they want to attract people who are not just attracted to an Indian after ten pints.

Dave Goodridge, manager of the restaurant, said: "We wanted somewhere where people could come and have a good meal, with a nice atmosphere.

"We are close enough to Darlington, Middlesbrough and the surrounding villages, and believe we have chosen a location which is accessible to everyone."

The Akbar Dynasty, which was once home to a Little Chef, will serve contemporary Indian cuisine, cooked in separate pans rather than in one large skillet. Mr Goodridge also promised that it will serve dishes not found anywhere else in the North-East.

"We have already been fully booked up at the weekend and are confident the restaurant will be a success," he said