A Congleton restaurant delivered 250 free complimentary roast dinners across the community to the elderly or those self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic on Sunday.

Pecks Restaurant on Newcastle Road, owned by the Pear family, wanted to give something back to their customers at what is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone.

The restaurant, which has been closed since the 20th March due to the lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, asked the community to nominate a vulnerable friend or family member that they felt deserved the meal.

Owner Andrew Pear told Nub News that within 24 hours the places had been filled at both Pecks and their sister restaurant The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Sandbach, which also delivered 250 dinners in Sandbach and the surrounding area on Sunday too.

Mr Pear said: "The demand for the places was incredible and it was a shame that we couldn't do any more, but we were already at our limit."

Across the two restaurants, 80 people put themselves forward to volunteer and help ensure everything ran smoothly, but due to social distancing and government guidelines, not everyone was able to take part.

There were 20 drivers for each restaurant, who all had a badge on their vehicles to notify the police that they were making essential trips to deliver food for the vulnerable and elderly.

Mr Pear added: "Some of the people that helped were customers and it was amazing to see everyone come together for such a good cause."

Nub News was told that the vegetables for the dinners were prepared on the Saturday, ready for the chefs on Sunday who worked 8am to 5pm in the kitchen.

Lee Wassall, executive head chef of the Pecks Group and chef at Pecks Restaurant was heralded for his effort by Mr Pear after getting through the day on painkillers after injuring his back the day before the event.

However, the happiness that the dinners brought to people was something that made all the hard work worthwhile according to Mr Pear.

Mr Pear continued: "Seeing the smiles on people's faces was truly priceless, there were people crying with sheer joy. It was a pleasure to be part of such a heart-warming community gesture.

"We had customers telling us that once the isolation and lockdown guidelines are lifted, they will be coming to the restaurants, it was nice to know that they were thinking about us at this difficult time."

Mr Pear told Nub News that 15 hotel rooms at The Wheatsheaf have been offered free of charge for Leighton Hospital staff to use if they are either self-isolating away from family or need a place to stay.

With the possibility of key frontline workers staying at the Sandbach based restaurant, Mr Pear wanted the restaurant's chef to be able to use the kitchen and to cook meals for the wider community.

Reflecting on how Sunday went, Mr Pear continued: "It went down really well, it was a huge success and the team spirit on display was fantastic and you could tell how much the staff enjoyed doing something to help the community."

The food offering was different at both restaurants, at Pecks, recipients indulged in rump of beef and roast turkey with trimmings, whereas Wheatsheaf diners feasted on a full roast chicken dinner.

Usually both restaurants biggest Sunday dinner demand is on Mother's Day, where 150 dinners are delivered, but the Pear family team were able to hit new heights.

Mr Pear concluded: "Making 250 dinners was a great effort, I'm really proud of the team and it's an absolute pleasure to work alongside them."

With the government's initial three-week lockdown due to be reviewed, Mr Pear stated that the family-run business would see how that develops before making a decision on whether to plan another community event.