SARA Cox has been named as the presenter of a new TV series celebrating the UK's best takeaways.

Britain's Top Takeaways will see independent takeaways compete against each other over an eight part series on BBC Two.

The Manchester-based programme will be broadcast from a specially designed kitchen studio.

“When I first heard about this show they had me at takeaway! Especially in recent times, the takeaway has become something of an event in our house,” said Bolton-born Cox, 46.

“We look forward to burgers, noodles, curry - all delicious and delivered to our front door.

"I’m thrilled to be celebrating the takeaway and finding the very best in Britain, and if that means eating all the left over chips and putting on half a stone, so be it.”

Cox grew up in Little Lever and attended Smithills High School and Canon Slade School.

The show will see five independent takeaways compete in a fast-food showdown where their dishes will be biked to households, who then decide which restaurant comes out on top.

Each episode will see a takeaway service cooking a curated menu – including a classic dish, chef’s special, vegetarian option and sides.

Families will then pick dishes from the menu, but the chefs will have no idea which ones they will choose or when they will order.

Once the food is ready, it is delivered to the households and the chefs wait for the results to see if they are that episode's winner.

The new show is one of a number newly commissioned by the BBC, including Master of Ceremonies, which will see wedding planners go head-to-head to plan the perfect day.

Romesh Ranganathan will appear in BBC Two's 'The Misinvestigations Of Romesh Ranganathan', which will see him attempt to get to the bottom of some of the most mysterious deaths that have shocked the nation.

Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment, said: "The new commissions I’m announcing today demonstrate the strength of the department, with three new series that celebrate and engage with contemporary British life in a timely and relevant way."