I had a heard a lot about Santa's Pizzas on the takeaway circuit but had Christmas come early for me or was I shouting Bah Humbug' as soon as the food was served?

I am not a man who is normally impressed with lavish surroundings and high-tech gadgets.

But within minutes of setting foot in this hot spot I knew this was no ordinary joint.

Santas Pizzas has spread its wings far and wide since 1992 when Ishrat Medhi and family took over the business. There are now three Santa's Pizzas - two in Burnley and a third in Pendle.

I mulled over the menu for a while before for the Chilli Chicken Pizza, some potato wedges, mixed grill and chicken wings.

I waited for the guy behind the counter to write down my order - he didn't. Instead he had a touch screen like they have in some multi-national fast food places.

As I was later to learn this was only the beginning. Santa's has taken the whole concept of local takeaways to another level.

It houses a Central Control Room' - much like the RAC but without the girls. I'm not making sense am I? Okay picture this - you order a pizza over the phone and it goes through to one of seven customer service representatives who then log your order.

The computer decides which Santas Pizza is the nearest to your address and before you can say he's all left foot but it's a good one' - you've got a tasty pizza on your doorstep.

All this high-tech stuff was making me hungry so I tucked into the Chilli Chicken Pizza which turned out to be exquisite.

There were no excuses in this building. They had quality right up there with a super efficient service.

And check this. If for some reason they don't make your order on time or something happens on the way, you get a letter from the manager the next day explaining why.

I was dumbfounded - a letter from your local takeaway owner?

It's like Christmas and Eid coming all at once!