THE thriving Asian business community brought a taste of India to the civic grandeur of Lancaster Town Hall at the weekend.

Exotic food, dancers and live music gave invited guests a truly cultural experience as Asian businessman and women celebrated the outstanding performance of local businesses.

The charity fund-raising event was attended by the Mayor, Eileen Blamire, and MP Hilton Dawson, who called on the 'entrepreneurial' Asian community to become key players in Lancaster's economic renaissance.

In the plush surroundings of the Town Hall's banqueting suite, three awards were presented to the Sultan Restaurant, with other businesses also picking up awards including the Moguls, Searchquest UK, Business First and Dr Kruger.

"It was our way of showing everyone what the Asian community in Lancaster has to offer," said one of the organisers, Kabir Patel.

"Although the Asian community in the city is relatively small it contributes a lot to the local economy and has many achievements.

The cultural evening was a great way of bringing the communities together.

We enjoy living and working here in Lancaster.

Hopefully this will become an annual event and I'd like to thank everyone who helped make it a success, particularly Vilayte Essa."

At the end of the evening, which raised more than £ 1,000 for the children's ward at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Hilton Dawson congratulated the city's Asian community on their achievements.

"I was delighted to be asked to speak at the Asian Business Awards," said Mr Dawson.

"It was a real celebration of the success of the local Asian community in restaurants, art and information technology.

I believe that Asian Businesses have real strengths in the way that they are rooted in families, their attitude to long-term investment and their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Asian community can be powerful players in the renaissance of our community.

They are a huge asset to Lancaster."