A community pay-as-you can afford food service has been launched in Oakham.

The Little County Kitchen has been created by the people behind the town's popular Orbis restaurant. It's first day is today.

The initiative follows the restaurant in Church Street supporting deserving locals with meals during last year's lockdowns, earning recognition from Rutland MP Alicia Kearns.

The restaurant recently posted on Facebook: "Seeing as we have reduced our opening hours for January, we felt it only right we put our resources to good use and we have come together to launch a community project.

"Totally non-for profit and will be providing good hearty meals as well as some treats at complete cost price. All using our very best suppliers and skilled chefs."

Jonathan Spencer, who began running Orbis a year ago, has launched a fundraising appeal to help support the project.

He said: "The project aim is to supply hot meals to as many of those who are struggling at the minute as possible, and give them a little bit of something to look forward to.

"We aim to have a variety of dishes available each week from pizzas to curries.

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"Any donations made will help us to reduce the price as low as physically possible."

Jonathan told Nub News: "The main thing to get across is this is a not-for-profit kitchen relying on a pay what you can afford model to help a certain quota of free meals for families."

Futher details of the initiative and how to order or support the venture can be found here.