VILLAGERS have praised local pub-owners for delivering hot meals on wheels to elderly residents.

Both The Farmers and The Fishermans in Baycliff have diversified their businesses in order to keep going throughout the coronavirus lockdown.

The two popular restaurants are delivering freshly-cooked lunches to the doorstep.

Up to 30 orders a day are being placed for the Fishermans' delicious dishes which cost £5.

Residents can choose from battered haddock and chips served with mushy peas and tartar sauce; Cumberland sausage with mashed potatoes, carrots, greens and gravy; a 5oz bacon steak with pineapple, tomato, salad and chips; or vegetable curry served with rice and a flatbread.

Alan Cook, vice-chairman of Aldingham Parish Council, lives in Baycliff and he and his wife often order one of the hot lunches.

He explained that as a lot of residents are elderly, with some required to self-isolate because of serious health conditions, the prospect of a hot meal has been 'a godsend'.

"They're really good and at £5 each it's incredibly reasonable and Ian and Andrea aren't making money off it," he said.

"Everyone's been sharing pictures on the Baycliff Village Facebook page saying how delicious the meals are.

"We've had the fish and chips, which comes with mushy peas and lovely homemade tartar sauce, and the vegetable curry is also really good."

Some residents who live outside of the village even drive to the Fishermans for theirs.

"One from Stainton came to pick up a lunch," Cllr Cook said.

Cllr Cook added that the whole village has 'come together'.

"We've been asking people if there's anything they need or if they need some shopping," he said.

"Everyone's pulling together and looking out for each other."

Another Baycliff resident, Brian Burlison, had attempted to order an essentials grocery box from Booths.

The Ulverston supermarket has started delivering boxes containing ready meals, fruit and veg, and cupboard essentials, as a result of the lockdown.

However, as Mr Burlison and his disabled wife, who are both in their 80s, live outside of the three-mile radius, they are not eligible.