Owners of a Bolton restaurant enjoyed being being waited on at a black tie event to celebrate the very best in Italian food.

Cafe Italia was a finalist in UK Italian Awards.

The family-run eaterie on Moss Bank Way was nominated for Best Chef of the Year, Best Deli/Cafe, Best Pasta Chef and best restaurant in the North West.

The restaurant has been in Bolton for nine years with this being their fourth consecutive appearance at the competition.

Restaurant owner Vito Cammarota points to the hard work of him and his family as the making of their success.

He said: “We hope that people see what is behind the restaurant. When you run a restaurant, you lose everything you have, including time with family.”

“I hope the customers see what is behind it and what is behind our success. It is important to remember what it takes to keep the restaurant full after spending most of your life in the Restaurant.”

The awards took place in Leeds and strives to recognise excellence amongst Italian communities across the UK.

It hands over initial voting power to the public to uncover which restaurant is truly the nation's favourite before a final cook off involving one pasta dish and a main course.

Vito said: “People like what we do, and they bring their families. It is the customers who nominate us and through using 100 per cent Italian ingredients and not being expensive.”