A RESTAURANTEUR from the North-East is on his way to the African jungle to deliver 100 of his speciality Bangladeshi fish dishes.

Akki Ahmed flew to London from the region today and is heading for the Democratic Republic of Congo via Istanbul tomorrow.

Mr Ahmed, of the Ashoka Indian Restaurant, in Seaham, County Durham, was asked by businessman Mustafa Azim to make the long distance delivery for Bangladeshi Armed Forces, serving with the UN peacekeeping teams.

He said: “I am little bit worried about some of the footage I have seen on TV with the guys walking round with machetes.

“But I am sure the guide will look after me. I am very excited about the trip.”

Mr Azim, who runs Imperial Aviation Salvage, flew into Shotton Airfield to pick up Mr Ahmed and his dishes.

They flew to London and from Heathrow Airport they will board a connecting flight to Kinshasa, then a further flight into the jungle, where Mr Ahmed will add the finishing touches to his frozen dishes.

Mr Ahmed has prepared 100 ayre fish curry dishes with pilau rice and side dishes of Bombay aloo.

He added: “It is a 14 hour flight altogether and the dishes are in a special aviation container, keeping them frozen.

“It is not something I ever thought I was going to do. It would never have crossed my mind. Life has a mysterious way.”