An Indian restaurant and takeaway in a Norfolk town has been given a new lease of life after its former owner returned to take it on.

Indian Palace has opened its doors with owner Alam Ahmed after he took over former The Raj in Bridge Street, Loddon.

The restaurant offers Indian and Bangladeshi dining, both for sitting in and takeaways.

Mr Ahmed's new business opened on October 31 with more than 40 customers turning up.

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Alam Ahmed outside the Indian Palace Restaurant Alam Ahmed outside the Indian Palace Restaurant (Image: Simon Peck) Food as pictured by Simon Peck on opening night Food as pictured by Simon Peck on opening night (Image: Simon Peck) READ MORE: The Mayfair in Bungay has applied for longer hours

Mr Ahmed said: “It went really well.

“We have another 30 people booked in tonight.”

He first managed and owned the Dilraj restaurant in Loddon in the early 2000s, before it was sold and became The Raj.

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He said many of the customers on opening night were previous regulars at the Dilraj, showing their support once again.

“They were happy to see me,” Alam said.

He added that he has received a lot of support from Simon Peck, owner of The White Horse in Chedgrave.

The restaurant is open Monday to Sunday between 5pm to 10.30pm, including bank holidays.

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After the Dilraj was sold, the restaurant was renamed The RajAfter the Dilraj was sold, the restaurant was renamed The Raj (Image: Denise Bradley) READ MORE: The Raj in Loddon has licence suspended after raid

The Raj was managed by Mohammed Uddin from 2017 onwards.

Last year, The Raj was raided by an immigration enforcement team and two men were arrested.

The premises licence was temporarily revoked by South Norfolk Council.

The Home Office recommended that the licence should be removed permanently due to "concerns for the business in the future".

The investigation found that there were two illegal workers at the premises and also found that Mr Uddin compensated his workers by giving them food, rather than financial payment.

In March, councillors said they "deliberated long and hard" over their verdict but ultimately chose to disregard the advice of the Home Office due to Mr Uddin's lack of previous warnings.

The restaurant was to remain open but was not able to serve alcohol for a month.