More than 100,000 discounted meals were claimed in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock as part of the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Figures recently released show that 82 restaurants in the constituency signed up to the scheme with customers saving £634,000 for the month of August with 116,000 claims.

That makes the average saving per diner in the area £5.48

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 the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency 87 establishments signed up with 51,000 discounted meals claimed as customers saved around £333,000.

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.