These are the Milton Keynes restaurants continuing the Eat Out to Help Out scheme after the closing date

Tonight (Wednesday) and Bank Holiday Monday next week are the final two official days of the scheme.

But some restaurants and chains have hailed it such a success that they have vowed to extend it into September.

The Harvester chain, which has the Fountain pub in Loughton, has promised to run the deal for an extra two weeks.

Pizza Hut, which has restaurants in Westcroft and the centre:mk, will also run it for another fortnight.

Meanwhile Tesco Cafe, where it is possible to get a full English breakfast for £2, will continue until the end of September.

All these businesses will be financing the 50 per cent discount scheme themselves.

The government-backed Eat Out to Help Out scheme was designed to get the food and drink industry back on its feet after lockdown.

Participating outlets have offered a 50 per cent discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner) every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August.

People could visit and claim the discount as many times as they liked.

This week in MK many restaurants have been full to bursting, particularly in the evening, and diners trying to book have been turned away.

"i phoned seven different places last night (Tuesday), trying to find a table for two, said one would-be customer. "In the end we gave up and had fish and chips - delivered to our door by a robot!"