More than 58,000 meals were claimed in the Moorlands under the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to the latest statistics.

In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme, which ran throughout the month of August.

Over 84,000 establishments across the UK signed up to the scheme, including 80 in the Moorlands.

It meant that residents and visitors to Biddulph could dine out in style, with people eating out on Monday to Wednesday during August benefiting from 50% off the price of their meals.

Data from OpenTable shows bookings increased by an average of 52 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the whole of August, compared to the same days in 2019.

Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has since praised the scheme, saying: "I am delighted at the support local people in the Moorlands have provided to our fantastic restaurants and hospitality businesses.

"Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals – it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through this pandemic.

"I have no doubt that there are many local businesses which, without this brilliant scheme, may not have made it through the summer. I hope local people will continue to support them in the months ahead."

While Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak added: "From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs- and to do this we needed be creative, brave and try things that no government has ever done before.

"Today's figures continue to show Eat Out to Help Out has been a success. I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.

"The scheme is just one part of our Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation."