A total of seven Waveney businesses have been presented with awards for offering customers a wide variety of healthier food choices.

Eastern Daily Press: Beccles Farmers' Market.Beccles Farmers' Market. (Image: Archant)

Baileys in Beccles and Le Roc in Southwold have both received a prestigious 'Eat Out Eat Well' gold award from Waveney District Council for their commitment to offering healthier options.

Hampers of Lowestoft and Focus Organic in Halesworth each received a silver award while the Angel in Halesworth, the Waveney House Hotel and Graze at the White Horse, both in Beccles, all received a bronze award.

Officers from the Council's Food and Safety team visited each of the seven businesses to assess the food on offer, the cooking methods used and how healthier options are promoted.

The businesses were presented with their awards by councillor Mary Rudd, deputy mayor of Lowestoft and Waveney's cabinet member for community health and safety, and Paola Moore from the council's food and safety team.

Cllr Rudd said: 'It is a pleasure to present each business with their award and know that local people and visitors have so much choice when it comes to making healthy choices in Waveney.

'It is interesting to see how each business has approached the challenge of offering healthier choices and I would like to congratulate them all.'

Gerard Amiel and Jane Unite, owners of Le Roc, said: 'This award is good for our business, being a culmination of many years work. It is nice to help change habits to healthier eating in Suffolk.'

Linda Esteve from Baileys said: 'It is in the interest of us all to have a better, healthier diet and we commend the initiative of starting the 'Eat Out Eat Well' campaign in our area.'

The 'Eat Out Eat Well' scheme was launched last year by Suffolk County Council's public health team and local district councils.

Any restaurant, pub, café or food retailer in Suffolk is eligible to apply, free of charge. Customers are also advised to look out for the 'Eat Out Eat Well' symbol when choosing where they would like to eat.

Find out more about 'Eat Out Eat Well' by visiting www.healthysuffolk.org.uk