The owner of a restaurant at the centre of a malicious e-mail campaign has slammed the perpretrators.

Mehboob Hussain, of Nawaab Restaurant, Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, says the e-mail claiming he had been featured on the BBC consumer programme Watchdog and in a newspaper article is a hoax.

The e-mail reads that on the programme the owner of the restaurant said that 'Whilst the sign outside the building states I serve Halal food it didn't mean he did.'

Mr Mehboob has never appeared on Watchdog and has never featured in any such newspaper article.

However, the e-mail continued to be circulated with people oblivious to the truth.

Asian Image was the first newspaper to look into the allegations and the first to speak to Mr Hussain about the e-mail.

He told us, "I am very upset about the whole thing. I cannot understand why someone would do this to us. It is beyond belief. I want to say we serve 100 per cent halal food."

"I will also state that I have never been interviewed by any 'Watchdog' programme nor have I ever said that I serve non-Halal food in any newspaper interview."

"I have been in the business for 17 years and as well as running a string of successful restaurants we cater for functions around the region."

"I have contacted my solicitor to investigate the matter further."

Mr Hussain owns five restaurants in the UK as well as six in Spain. The Nawaab Restaurant also hosts Asian weddings .

Since the e-mail was brought to Mr Hussain's attention he has received a letter from BBC Watchdog confirming he never appeared on the programme.