Bristol café owner Sid Sharma has been named the city's first food champion for serving healthy, locally-sourced meals.

There are now four Thali restaurants and takeaways in Montpelier, Easton, Totterdown and Clifton selling authentic Indian street food.

The company has previously won the BBC Food and Farming Best Takeaway Award 2009 and a Soil Association Food for Life Silver award.

Yesterday Mr Sharma collected another accolade, the Celebrating Local Achievement Food Champions award, from council leader Councillor Barbara Janke.

The award ceremony took place at the Council House at the Feeding Bristol in the Future conference attended by more than 100 people who work in the food industry.

Mr Sharma, 36, said: "Most of our vegetables are grown in the south west and a good proportion come from organic farms.

"It is something we have always thought important from day one. We feel businesses have to be socially responsible for what they do."

The Thali Café originally started as a mobile service selling dishes inspired by the meals served on thalis or metal plates at the roadside in India.

Mr Sharma and friends Sam Hackett, 30, and Jim Pizer, 35, launched their Thali cafes ten years ago. They ensure that they use local produce wherever possible which extends to the drinks served.

West Country beer and cider is on the menu and fish arrives daily from Cornwall.

They also employ a nutritionist to help them reduce salt and fat levels.

Many of the dishes are based on Mr Sharma's family recipes, which were handed down through the generations.

Bristol City Council launched a food charter yesterday setting out the council's aims to have Fairtrade food sold in the city, to encourage people to eat their five fruit and veg a day and to reduce food miles.

Council leader Barbara Janke said: "There is already a huge amount going on in the city to encourage best practice in food and sustainable development with a vibrant voluntary and community food sector.

"Sid Sharma and the Thali Café is an excellent example of this and I was delighted to present him with the City Council's first ever Celebrating Local Achievement Food Champions award.

"I want the council to do all it can to play its part. The Food Charter that we are launching sets out the council's food ambitions, such as using our buying power, services and influence to ensure that all food providers working on behalf of the council are working to provide healthier and more sustainable food.

"By adopting the Food Charter, the council is making a strong commitment to work towards a healthier and sustainable future for everyone in the city."