Curry houses from across Kent have been shortlisted for this year's Asian Curry Awards.

Restaurants based in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, and Ashford are among the nominees.

The event is organised by the Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which represents the nation’s 30,000 Indian restaurant and takeaways.

A record number of nominees will now be whittled down by online public vote before visiting judges determine the eventual winners, who will be honoured at a glitzy awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House on November 20.

Spice lovers can vote for the following Kentish venues: Bombay Cooks, Ashford; Shampan @ The Spinning Wheel, Westerham; Cinnamon Square, Hildenborough; Everest Inn, Ashford; Saffron Gold, Tudely; and INDI18, Tonbridge.

The competition will commend and acknowledge the way businesses have handled this year's "quadruple whammy" of rising food prices, increased energy costs, staff shortages and customers experiencing a cost-of-living crisis

This year's winners will also be included in the ACF's new ‘One Hundred Top Curry Restaurants’ guide.

Yawar Khan, chairman of the Asian Catering Federation, urged the public to cast their votes, as a prestigious accolade can have a significant boost to an establishment’s bottom line.

He said: "Every week I hear from another owner closing their restaurant because they cannot see an end in sight to the economic situation – but an award win can bring a massive upsurge in trade.

"For customers wanting to help their favourite restaurants survive, their votes can be crucial."