More than 50,000 discounted meals were claimed in North Ayrshire and Arran as part of the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Recently released figures show that 87 restaurants in the constituency signed up to the scheme with customers saving £330,000 for the month of August with 51,000 claims submitted by establishments.

That makes the average saving per diner in the area £6.44.

Other Ayrshire constituencies also made the most of the offer.

In Central Ayrshire 101 restaurants took part with customers saving £803,000 with 135,000 meals claimed while in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 82 establishments signed up with 116,000 discounted meals claimed for as customers saved £634,000.

Scottish secretary, Alister Jack said: “The UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a roaring success, helping protect 1.8 million jobs in the hospitality sector.

“More than 6.3 million meals were enjoyed in Scotland with the UK Government paying up to £10 towards each. I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the scheme - as well as the staff who made it possible.”

Across the UK 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme making 130,000 claims worth £522 million.

According to OpenTable data, restaurant bookings increased by an average of 53 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the whole of August, compared to the same days in 2019.

On the final day of the scheme – August 31- bookings were up 216 per cent compared to the equivalent day last year.