EXOTIC meats such as camel, ostrich and venison will be on the menu at a new £100,000 halal restaurant in Blackburn.

Carnivorez Woodfired Grill in Whalley New Road will be the first restaurant in the town to feature food cooked over ‘hot embers of sustainable British wood such as ash and oak’.

It is being launched by Ikhlaq Ishaq and family who are hoping to bring something different to the town.

Ikhlaq and his brother who are heading the venture have more than 40 years' experience of working in the food trade between them.

He said: “All the meals will be cooked over custom-built wood fires which will help to give the dishes the distinctive taste.

“We don’t think there is another halal restaurant like this which offers food cooked over woodfired grills and charcoal.

“It is something we had always looked at doing for a long time and try to replicate the meals we used to get back in Pakistan. When we were younger everything was cooked over wood fires.

“It helps to bring out the authentic taste.”

The restaurant will seat up to 50 people over two floors and has been renovated at a cost of £100,000. Presently the signage has been installed and interior work is set to be completed in the coming month.

As well traditional steaks the menu will feature some new additions which will be available to eat-in, takeout and delivery.

Ikhlaq said: “We are hoping to have camel, ostrich, venison, goat and Wagyu steaks. It is something different.

“We will also have a range of Karahi dishes and grilled fish.

“The lockdown of course has held things back but we are very much hoping to open in time for Eid in the middle of May.

“The building has been completely renovated and we will have a special family room on the second floor. It has been hard work and hopefully people will like the finished look.”