A LEIGH man is celebrating 25 years at a company which has grown from a six man operation to the largest curry factory in the world

Mick McCarthy was one of the original members of staff at Patak's, in Abram, when it first began making Indian food in 1978.

In honour of his quarter of a century service, the 52-year-old attended a lunch with Patak's Chairman and Chief Executive Kirit Pathak and Managing Director David Page, where he was presented with a cheque for £250.

He said: "It's been a privilege to work with the Pathak family all these years and watch the business flourish the way that it has.

"It's amazing to think that 25 years ago there were just six people working away and now there are 250 employees based here and more than 600 in the UK in total.

"The products that we produce here at Leigh are exported all over the world, with some travelling as far afield as Australia, and it's great to be a part of that."

Working at Patak's has been a family affair for Mr McCarthy.

He met his partner Lynne when she was working on reception at the factory and his daughter, Jenny, also works at the plant as a Microbiology Assistant.

Mick works in production at the Leigh plant as Manager for Environmental Services. Patak's is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of authentic Indian food and the Leigh site is believed to be the world's largest curry factory.

Kirit Pathak added: "Mick is a real asset to our business. We wanted to recognise all the hard work, loyalty and dedication that he has contributed over all these years.

"He is a real character who brings a smile and a joke to people's working day -- we're going to try and persuade him stay at Patak's for another 25 years."