LA Tasca, the Bolton-based Spanish-themed restaurant chain, has scooped a top industry award.

James Horler, the group's chief executive, won the coveted Group Restaurateur Award, for his "outstanding ability to manage, market and develop a restaurant brand" in the prestigious Caterer & Hotelkeeper Awards, (the Catey Awards) at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Referred to as "The Oscars" of the hospitality world, a Catey is the most prestigious accolade in the industry.

Previous winners include Gordon Ramsay, Rick Stein and Raymond Blanc.

Mr Horler took the reins of the company, which has its headquarters in Princess Street, three years ago. Since then, he and his team have increased the number of outlets and almost doubled turnover from £22 million to £40 million. The group recently opened two restaurants in the USA, in Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia.

Mr Horler said: "I'm thrilled to win this award. It not just a recognition of what we are doing with the business, but also of our ability to get our values right in a highly competitive market."