Eat Out to Help Out has been hailed a huge success in Macclesfield, with more than 78,000 meals dished up under the scheme.

Latest figures show the scale of the benefit to the 101 restaurants, cafes, pubs and coffee houses which took part in the government initiative within the Macclesfield constituency.

Government statistics released include data up to 27 August and divide the nation according to their parliamentary constituencies.

The total discount for Macclesfield diners was a whopping £547,000 with an average of £6.97 saved per meal.

Responding to the figures, David Rutley MP tweeted: "Encouraging to see how the #EatOutToHelpOut scheme has played an important role in protecting local jobs in the hospitality sector and in helping to build people's confidence to dine out and safely visit local town centres following lockdown. #Macclesfield."

Data from OpenTable shows that nationally 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.

The government is also supporting the hospitality industry with a temporary discount to VAT, from 20 per cent to 5 per cent, until 12 January 2021.

In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "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."