A CHEF and landlady are providing a catering lifeline to the elderly and residents self-isolating in Middlewich.

The Boars Head Hotel launched a new food takeaway service on Thursday and within hours almost ran out of homemade pies.

Landlady Liz McGuinness, who has run the hotel with husband Pat for more than 20 years, said: "Our chef said she was so bored at home and suggested we trial a takeaway menu.

"She baked 40 pies on the first night and we only had three left so I had to come back for more. The response has been brilliant.

"I took one to a lady who in her 70s, lives on her own and has to self isolate. She was so pleased she wants to place more deliveries next week."

Liz is personally delivering food to anyone who is self isolating in the town and offers contactless or cash payment.

"One lady left cash in an envelope on her front porch a few minutes before I arrived and picked up the hot food after I rang her door bell," said Liz. "We're making sure everyone is kept safe."

Chef Ange Sadler bakes everything herself.

The trial menu includes minced beef and onion, chicken and mushroom or cheese and onion pies for £2, or £3.50 with chips and peas or beans.

Fish (haddock or cod), chips and mushy peas is £6 and homemade soup and a sandwich is £4.

"We're hoping to see how it goes and extend the menu for next week," said Liz. "Ange cooks everything herself. We used to have an extensive menu in the hotel including homemade curries, lasagne and stews.

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"We've had key workers staying in the hotel who are only allowed room service, we are not allowed to serve meals in the restaurant. They have even ordered pies to send home to their families.

"People who are not self isolating can come and collect food from our back car park and we will leave it on the wall."

All the hot food, she said, is served in thick cardboard containers which can be put in a microwave.

To order call or text Liz on 07703 018207.