Seven Greater Manchester restaurants are celebrating today after winning awards at the The Food Awards England 2016.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand's King Street restaurant Rosso was named Best Restaurant in the north west and Restaurant of the Year.

Italian eatery Rosso beat Upstairs at the Grill in Chester, La Locanda in Gisburn and fellow Manchester restaurant Mi & Pho to win the top prize.

A spokesman for Rosso said: "The team and owner Rio Ferdinand are absolutely delighted to even be nominated by our customers and the general public but to then scoop two awards and securing such a title, they couldn't be anymore pleased.

"On behalf of everyone at Rosso Restaurant a massive thank you to every one that voted."

The overall winner of best world cuisine was Manchester's Chaophraya, while the overall winner of Best Italian establishment was Gusto in Didsbury.

Monton Indian takeaway Zafrani also scooped a prize after being voted the north of England's Takeaway of the Year.

Located on Monton Road in the thriving Salford village, Zafrini was up against Santa's Pizza (Burnley), Tuk Tuk Indian Takeaway (Preston) Spice Island (Bolton), Botan Kebab House (Liverpool), Pizza Place (Leeds) and Archie's (Manchester).

Zafrani manager Kamal Khan, who accepted the gong in front of 400 guests at the Manchester Mercure Hotel in Piccadilly, on Monday night, said: "We have been nominated a few times and finally the hard work has paid off.

"We are so pleased."

Popular West Didsbury pub The Metropolitan was voted gastro pub of the year in the North, and won out against competitors such as Horse & Jockey.

Meanwhile, the animal-friendly superstore / cafe Eighth Day Co-Operative on Oxford Road won the Best Vegetarian Establishment in the North.

Finally, Dimitris on Deansgate was awarded the Best Mediterranean Establishment in the North.

The restaurants fought off strong competition from rivals at the ceremony, which is now in its fourth year.