Blackburn Rovers hotshot Matt Derbyshire was joined by 50 invited guests at a VIP evening to launch the Shere Khan Restaurant, Blackburn.

The restaurant, at the corner of Barbara Castle Way and Eanam on the site of the old Audi showroom, has been refurbished at a cost of over £1.4 million.

As well as being able to cater for 240 customers, it has a private dining section, a juice bar, a prayer room and children's play area.

Co-owner Shoaib Patel said: "Shere Khan is renowned the world over for its high quality and standards. And we wanted to make this flagship restaurant as impressive as the others."

"As well as the inter-nationally renowned Shere Khan menu we have a number of new exclusive dishes on offer. We are keenly aware that customers will be expecting the very best and we intend to deliver."

"I hope people will agree the interior is a class apart both in its design and decor."

"We want them to experience the quality and service of food of the very highest standards and the very best environment."

Servicing up to 240 guests means the Shere Khan will have to employ over 40 full-time and part-time staff.

The private dining area can hold up to 50 people and is ideal for business, corporate or small meetings. A projector screen is available on request.

The restaurant also houses a banqueting suite on the first floor which can hold up to 400 people for weddings, conferences and exhibitions.

Mr Patel said, "We felt that there was overwhelming need in the North West for a high-class wedding and conference venue. The interior has been specifically designed to cater for attendees' every need."

There is free parking at the rear of the building (the old Audi showroom) for customers during the evenings.

All food at the Shere Khan is approved by the Halal Monitoring Committee and the Shere Khan is a non-alcohol restaurant which has a private dining area for families.

The restaurant opens to the public on Tuesday August 21.