Tough immigration rules have created a shortage of chefs in curry houses, it was claimed yesterday.

Some restaurants are being prevented from expanding and others may be forced to close because of curbs on bringing in staff, claimed Edinburgh restaurateur Tommy Miah.

He estimated the industry in Britain employs 60,000 chefs, but needs 20,000 more to meet a growing appetite for the cuisine.

The problem follows the success of curry houses, which face rising demand but a growing shortage of chefs.

A DEF spokesman said: ''There were 55,000 work permits granted last year, so we are not unreasonable about work permits.

''What we ask is that the employers demonstrate they are unable to recruit locally, and that the staff they want offer high skill levels.''