BUDDHIST monks blessed Durham City's first Thai restaurant when it officially opened its doors last week.

The city's MP Gerry Steinberg cut the ribbon on the Numjai restaurant in Millburngate Centre. Local business leaders, civic dignitaries and valued customers were then entertained by Thai dancers in traditional costume before sitting down to a buffet meal.

General manager Pradit Manakit said being blessed by the Buddhist monks, who travelled from the Thai temple in Birmingham, was an honour.

He said: "The monks' blessing was to wish me good luck for the business, for the future, for everything. This is a very important tradition and is a way of Thai life.