ASTWOOD Bank Carnival curried favour with its supporters with a fund-raising event for more than 100 diners at a local Indian restaurant.

The Little India restaurant in Astwood Bank marked its fifth anniversary in business by donating all of the money taken from food sales on the night of June 22 to the carnival fundraising group.

It raised more than £1,000 to be distributed to local charities and groups backed by the carnival.

Diners - many of them dressing in traditional Indian garb - were entertained by singer Nurjahan Silpi.

They were also given a free henna tattoo and among those attending were Redditch MP Karen Lumley and Mayor Councillor Joe Baker.

Shamol Ahmed, manager and owner of Little India, said: "We wanted to mark our fifth birthday of being part of the Astwood Bank community and we thought what better way than working hand in hand with the carnival committee to help raise funds that can go back into local groups and charities.

"The event has been a great success and was sold out well ahead of time, so we want to thank everyone for coming and apologise to those that we couldn't accommodate this time."

Astwood Bank carnival committee chairman said the offer from Little India had been "extremely generous".

"Combined with the funds raised through our other events, such as the recent open gardens, our forthcoming race night on July 8 and carnival day on July 9, we hope to be in a position to continue our long history of being able to distribute thousands of pounds to a wide range of local good causes.

"If other businesses would like to work with us to help raise funds we would love to hear from them."

More information can be found at astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk.