A NEWTON Aycliffe pub has launched a vegan range as part of its new menu and is encouraging locals to tuck into the new plant-based offering.

The vegan range, which is available now at Hungry Horse pub, the Gretna Green Hotel, near Newton Aycliffe, features seven vegan dishes, including pub classic fish and chips, which is produced by VBites and is made of succulent fish-free "fish" flakes, and a Bakewell tart, which is served with vegan vanilla-flavoured ice cream.

lex Mackenzie, general manager at the Gretna Green Hotel, said: “We know our local customers have a wide range of diets and tastes, so it’s important that we experiment with exciting new dishes and flavour combinations to ensure we cater for this.

“We’ve not only introduced a number of new plant-based dishes to our menu, but we’ve also put a spin on some of the traditional pub classics we offer, such as fish and chips, which is now available with vegan fish-free flakes and is already proving popular with locals.

“So, whether you’re vegan, veggie, or just fancy trying something new, we look forward to welcoming people in Newton Aycliffe to come and try our tasty new meat-free offering!”

The dishes on offer include for starters, a vegan roasted tomato soup, served with vegan poppy seed bun, and for mains, three vegan fish free fillets with sauces and sides available, chickpea and sweet potato curry; vegan fish-free fillets and chips; and vegan falafel burger. For dessert, there is vegan Bakewell tart served with vegan vanilla-flavoured ice cream.

The Gretna Green Hotel is part of pub chain, Hungry Horse. For more information, go to hungryhorse.co.uk.