A TANDOORI takeaway in Croxley Green was last week declared by Masterchef to be the best in Hertfordshire.

The Croxley Tandoori Takeaway, in Watford Road, has added the award to its array of accolades obtained during the past decade whilst it has been in business.

Unbeknown to the proprietors of the restaurant, critics from Masterchef visited the premises to review the environment and sample the food and then nominated it for the award.

The owners knew nothing until they received a letter last week congratulating them on the award, which includes a certificate for display.

The letter highlighted the standard of the kitchen design and its level of hygiene and praised the quality of the food, the service and courtesy and customer satisfaction.

Chef for Croxley Tandoori, Mr Shelim Choudury, said: "I think a big part of our appeal is the open plan kitchen so customers can see their food cooking "We also have a nice lounge where people can wait for their food.

"I think this is why we have received this award and we are all very pleased and very proud."

The restaurant has previously been included in the Good Curry Guide as the best takeaway in the area.