Family and friends gathered to mourn the death of a curry house manager who collapsed and died following an argument with a customer.

Mohammed Asif, from the Bolton area of Bradford, was taken to hospital following the dispute over a meal at Akbar’s Manchester restaurant on Friday night.

He later died, although a post mortem examination has not established a cause of death.

The father of six’s funeral was held yesterday afternoon at Hanfia Mosque in Carlisle Road, Manningham.

The 45-year-old had worked for Bradford firm Akbar’s since the company started in 1995 with the opening of a small 28-seat restaurant on Leeds Road, Bradford.

Company founder Shabir Hussain said the death of the highly regarded member of the team had shocked colleagues.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, he said: “Everybody’s just dealing with it, grieving and getting ready for the funeral.

“It’s a great loss. He’s been with me for 17 years, since I opened Akbar’s and was managing Akbar’s in Manchester.

“As you can imagine, everybody’s very, very distressed.”

Mr Asif was shortlisted in the Maitre D' of the Year category at this year’s English Curry Awards and the restaurant he managed won the best of Manchester prize.

He lived with his wife and children, the youngest of which is one, in the Bolton area of the city.

Friday night’s argument was reportedly over the payment of a bill.

Police were called to reports of an altercation at the restaurant, in Liverpool Road, in Manchester city centre shortly before 11pm on Friday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "After the dispute a man in his 40s collapsed. He was rushed to hospital, however he sadly died.

"Police are investigating the incident and enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of death.

"A 37-year-old man remains in police custody for questioning."