The boss of one of Bradford's best-known restaurant chains has vowed to bring a state-of-the art restaurant to Shipley, despite suffering a health scare.

Mohammed Aslam, managing director of the Aagrah restaurant, described his heart attack three weeks ago as a 'big blow'.

But he has vowed to continue with his quest to bring a £750,000 restaurant to Shipley despite being temporarily out of action.

Speaking from his home in Heaton, Mr Aslam said: "I have undergone quite a life-changing experience.

"My whole lifestyle has had to change and it is taking some adjusting."

Mr Aslam said he was working 18 hours a day before the scare.

"I have had to cut that down quite a bit but we are all systems go as far as expanding the restaurant is concerned," he pledged.

Mr Aslam was in the Pudsey restaurant when the attack happened three weeks ago.

Mr Aslam, who has seven restaurants in the region, said: "I was in the Pudsey office doing some paperwork, and I started to feel unwell.

"I was about to sign a contract and I signed it quickly, then walked into the restaurant and tried to get some fresh air.

"I soon realised that it wasn't normal.

"You get used to having aches and pains when you work 17 hours a day, but I knew this was different.

"I was still walking about but it felt very uncomfortable. In the end I said to my niece 'I think I have a problem'."

By coincidence, Mr Aslam's other niece, who is a doctor, then rang up.

Mr Aslam said: "She said 'Call an ambulance, it sounds as if you are having a heart attack'."

"Within ten minutes I was on my way to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

"I couldn't believe it really, it was a big blow, I had not had any heart problems before."

While in hospital Mr Aslam's heart stopped and the crash team had to jump in and revive him.

Mr Aslam, who has five children, praised the efforts of medical staff at the hospital. He said he was on the road to recovery and putting in some time again at the restaurant.

"I am getting back into it, not 18 hours a day but four or five," he said.

"Luckily it is a family business and we work together."

Though planning permission has not yet been granted, the directors of Aagrah are pressing ahead with the purchase of the Saltaire Road site, a former Polar Ford showroom.

"We plan to buy the building and create a 150-seater restaurant - it is a risk but one we are willing to take," said Mr Aslam.

Councillors praised the initiative, saying it would improve the whole corridor into Shipley.