A popular rural restaurant will be supplying meals for two local schools.

The Boe Rigg, in Charlton, near Bellingham has successfully secured both tenders for supply of school meals to Bellingham Primary and Middle schools.

Owner Neil Dawson said he was approached to see whether supplying the meals was something the restaurant could cope with.

Neil said he is “dead chuffed” and excited The Boe Rigg will be “keeping the community fed.”

“We can’t wait,” he said.

“It doesn’t interfere with the opening times of the restaurant.”

“And when we are extremely busy in summer, the schools are closed, so it’s an ideal world.”

Neil said the variety of meals they will be supplying will be nutritious and of a high-quality.

They will work from a four-week rota and all the food will be seasonal, he added.

Meals will include lasagne, curries, and fish and chips, whilst dessert options for the children include cookie dough topped with cheesecake as well as classics such as jam roly-poly.

“There will be all sorts,” Neil said.

“Hopefully we make it appetising to them.”

All the meals will be nut-free and The Boe Rigg will cater for all dietary requirements, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Neil added they have got a special cabinet coming which will transport the food, ensuring the food remains hot and as if it “has basically came straight out of the oven.”

The contract is initially for a year.

Lindsay Hamilton, headteacher at Bellingham Middle School, said: "It's great to be working with some local businesses in the community.

"We are looking forward to it."

The Boe Rigg was named a winner of the 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Award for restaurants.

The accolade sees the former bunkhouse recognised as being among the best globally based on Exceptional 2019 Diner Reviews.

Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are said to exemplify diner’s favourite top one per cent of hospitality businesses worldwide.

The Boe Rigg has camping facilities and caravan pitches, three family bedrooms, and an apartment, as well as its restaurant and bar.

The restaurant will start delivering the meals from April 12.