More than 200 Isle of Wight outlets took part in the government's Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) scheme last summer...claiming back more than £2.5 million.

In an effort to put money back into the local economy and support the hospitality sector after the first coronavirus lockdown, EOHO gave up to 50 per cent on food and drink at participating outlets, if people sat and ate out instead of taking away.

It was valid from Monday to Wednesday throughout August, with businesses allowed to claim until the end of September.

A maximum discount of £10 per person per meal was applied with 224 Island restaurants, cafes and pubs claiming back £2,755,000 from HM Revenue and Customs.

Latest government data shows a total of 515,000 meals were discounted through EOHO on the Isle of Wight, at an average of £5.35 per meal.

The average UK meal discount was £5.74.

The government found the local authority areas with the relatively lower levels of discount per meal were around coastal areas such as the Island, Blackpool, Boston and Skegness.

City centres were found to have higher levels of discount per meal.

On average, each Isle of Wight outlet received £12,300 — higher than the average UK average of £10,198 per outlet.

Across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more than 106,500,000 meals were claimed for with a total discount of £611,674,038.