MORE than a dozen businesses in Dumbarton, the Vale and the surrounding area have signed up to the UK government's Eat Out to Help Out initiative.

The UK-wide scheme is aimed at encouraging people to eat out again, supporting 100,000 businesses nationwide and helping protect 1.8 million employee jobs across the country.

The scheme will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between August 3 and 31, and will see diners get 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person if eating in a participating restaurant.

You don’t need a voucher to use the scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts.

There is no minimum spend. Alcoholic drinks and service charges are excluded from the offer.

Businesses in Dumbarton, the Vale and the surrounding area taking part in the scheme include:

- McDonalds, St James Retail Park, Dumbarton

- Subway, Glasgow Road, Dumbarton

- KFC, Glasgow Road, Dumbarton

- Carlton Bingo, College Way, Dumbarton

- Haveli Restaurtant, College Street, Dumbarton

- The Abbotsford Hotel, Stirling Road, Dumbarton

- Cardross Inn, Main Road, Cardross

- McDonalds, Old Luss Road, Balloch

- Lomond Park Hotel, Balloch Road, Alexandria

- The Twisted Thistle, Dumbarton Road, Old Kilpatrick

- The Stables, Carrochan Road, Balloch

- Cucina Ristorante, Balloch Road, Alexandria

- The Glen Café, 226 Dumbarton Road, Old Kilpatrick

- House of Darrach, Main Street, Gartocharn

- Duck Bay Hotel and Marina, Arden

- Lodge on Loch Lomond, Luss

- Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, Luss

- Coach House Coffee Shop, Luss

- Inn on Loch Lomond, Inverbeg

For more information visit gov.uk/government/publications/get-more-information-about-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme/get-more-information-about-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme.