An Italian restaurant in Gisburn is celebrating after being shortlisted for two awards.

La Laconda, on Market Street, has made the finals in two award categories at the PAPA Awards, which celebrates excellence in the Italian food industry, focusing on the quality and authenticity of Italian cuisine.

La Laconda has been nominated for best independent Italian restaurant and for the environmental and sustainability award.

It is the first time the business has made it to the finals for the environmental and sustainability award, thanks in part due to La Laconda recycling 99 per cent of its total waste.

This award shines the spotlight on those businesses that have made a significant effort to improve the world around them, benefitting their local community, putting social responsibility at the heart of their operations, and developing new practices that help the environment.

Presenting to the panel of revered judges, La Locanda explained its passion to create delicious food in the most sustainable and sympathetic way, to help protect the planet.

Last year, La Laconda won the platinum award for best independent Italian restaurant.

Winners for this year’s PAPA awards will be announced at the celebrated event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday, November 7.

Chef Maurizio Bocchi said: “We are so proud to be included amongst a shortlist of amazing restaurants and chefs in the UK.

“My promise is to create and serve a menu of Italian dishes passed down through generations that allow our customers to immerse themselves in a truly Italian dining experience.”

Chef Maurizio also represents Lancashire as a ‘taste ambassador’ for Marketing Lancashire, joining a stellar line-up of the county’s most celebrated chefs.

Earlier this year, it received a bronze Taste of England award at the Visit England Awards of Excellence.