An ultra-modern 1,000-seat restaurant has been opened in Bradford by a man who started his first curry house in the city 40 years ago.

Mohammed Latif, owner of the world-famous Kashmir in Bradford city centre, has opened Anams restaurant in Great Horton Road.

It employs more than 40 staff and features conference rooms, spectacular lighting, a stage and giant video screen.

The building also incorporates a stained glass ceiling and indoor lake boasting Koi carp and sturgeon.

And it is just the first stage in an ambitious multi-million pound project by Mr Latif.

A 38,000 sq ft site next door is set to be transformed into a complex boasting a conference centre with seating for another 4,000 people, an Asian market bazaar and multi-storey car park.

Plans are now being drawn up for the project, which the developers hope will be a miniature version of the food stores at the famous Bradford Mela.

It is all part of a long-held ambition.

"I wanted to give something back to Bradford," said Mr Latif. "I want to put the city back on the map and bring people from other parts of the country and see something different here. Bradford deserves a place like this.

"When I started out all those years ago, the image of a curry restaurant was very different. I've always had a dream about doing something like this and this place is certainly a dream come true."

Anams was officially opened at a grand ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, and has already attracted inquiries from across the UK.

The name is an ancient Arabic name meaning "blessing".

Restaurant director Modassar Bashir said the aim of the new venture was to offer something "completely away from the mainstream of restaurants".

"The whole idea was to create a 21st-Century restaurant," he said. "We are confident it will succeed because it is a fun place for everyone. We are proud to have built it in Bradford, even though a lot of people have said it would not look out of place in London."

The owners have recruited staff from a varied range of backgrounds, including English, Greek and Chinese, in an effort to reflect the city's diversity.

And the new chef, who has 40 years' experience, specialises in a range of Eastern cuisine and has drawn up an la carte menu of more than 200 dishes.

"We looked all over the north of England to decide where the best location would be," explained director Jawad Siddique.

"Hopefully this kind of investment will benefit the area."