THE son of a popular Haddington businessman is hoping to take home a top award this weekend in memory of his father.

Tino Pacitti says dad Dino, who ran family takeaway Dino’s in the town for nearly three decades, was excited about entering the annual Scottish Italian Awards for the first time this summer.

Sadly, Dino passed away on August 8, just days after meeting with the competition’s organisers.

Son Tino said: “We came back from holiday on August 3 and the day after we met the organiser of the awards. He told us all the details and we decided to enter, much to my dad’s excitement.

“He was never interested in awards of self-praise, he just enjoyed getting on with his work.

“It would be nice to win the award now in his honour.”

Dino died unexpectedly less than a week after returning from the holiday in August.

A popular figure in the town, he opened Dino’s on High Street in 1989.

His funeral was attended by 150 bikers and hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to the takeaway owner.

The Scottish Italian Awards will be announced at a black tie event on Sunday night.