A NORTH-East Thai restaurant is celebrating after becoming one of only 15 across the country to scoop an award.

The Numjai, in the Milburngate Centre, Durham, is the only restaurant in the region to get a Q Mark Award.

The awards were made by Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Somkid Jatusripitak, as part of his government's scheme to promote the country's cuisine worldwide.

Britain has 446 Thai restaurants - 252 in London - and all the other winners were from the South.

The Numjai has been open for three years and has won four awards, including an award from Restaurant Quality Food Online.

Owner Pradit Manakit was delighted. He said: "I am very proud of the award. We have been selected from restaurants from the Midlands to Scotland and are the only ones to get it.

"My staff are a great support and we have got the award because we achieved a high standard in the food we serve and a high standard in the service we give.

"The key to success is the team I have here. They are great and we work together well.

"We treat people the same whether they are spending £10 or £100, but most important is the quality of the food. I always keep my standards high.''

A second Numjai restaurant opened in Newcastle ten months ago.