A TAKEAWAY "boss" today told a jury how a teenage girl's death after she ate a curry from his place of work is "killing" him.

Megan Lee, 15, who had a severe nut allergy, died two days after eating a meal from Royal Spice Takeaway.

Harun Rashid, 38, claims he was a delivery driver for the Lancashire business at the time, but the prosecution in the trial argue he was the manager.

Accused of her manslaughter, he told the court he "can't imagine" the loss of Megan, following her death on New Year's Day in 2017.

It is alleged there was a "litany of failings" in the kitchen including poor hygiene and no records of ingredients kept, and that peanut protein was contained in the fatal meal.

The teenager died days after she had an immediate reaction to a seekh kebab and suffered irreversible brain damage from a later asthma attack.

Five days after her death the Royal Spice was closed down following an inspection by Trading Standards and environmental health officers, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Rashid's barrister Peter Moulson QC asked him: "How did you feel when the business was closed down?"

The defendant said: "Sad because a girl had died. We were not bothered about our business but because a girl had died... it's killing me inside every day.

"Until I die I won't forget what happened."

Mr Moulson said: "The prosecution say you are responsible for the death of a 15-year-Old girl. How do you feel about that accusation?"

Rashid said: "I have not done it."

Mr Moulson continued: "You are a father of three children, one who is 15. You know the Lee family have lost a daughter of that age, do you have anything to say?"

The defendant replied: "I am a father myself. Losing a daughter is not easy. I can't imagine."

Rashid confirmed he had seen Megan's order via the Just East website which had the words "nuts, prawns" in the comments section.

He told the court he hadn't thought nuts or prawns were in the meal ordered, and that the restaurant wouldn't serve people who told them they had allergies.

Rashid, a Bangladeshi national, said he set up the Royal Spice in 2009 but sold the business to co-defendant, Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, in late 2015.

But the court heard when cops went to the restaurant the day after Megan died, Rashid told them he was the manager, and signed a statement backing that up.

Asked why, Rashid said: "I didn't know the meaning of the word.

"It was a small business. There was no manager. There were only four people (there).

He also told the court he "pretended" to be the manager when Trading Standards asked.

Kuddus, of Belper Street, Blackburn, has admitted a count of failing to discharge a general duty of employers, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act, and another count of failing to put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures in contravention of European Union food safety regulations.

He also entered guilty pleas to the same offences on behalf of Royal Spice Takeaway Limited, trading as Royal Spice.

Rashid, of Rudd Street, Haslingden, has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Kuddus, also a Bangladeshi, and Rashid, both deny manslaughter by reason of gross negligence.