A TOTAL of £3.7 million has been saved by Hampshire residents thanks to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, figures reveal.

Figures published by the government today show a total of 818 restaurants in the area registered for the scheme.

The total amount of discount money claimed was £3,766,000 across Southampton, Eastleigh, the New Forest, Winchester, Fareham, Gosport and Romsey.

In Southampton Itchen, 110 restaurants took part in the scheme with 106,000 meals claimed at an average price of £6.62. The area saved £701,000 in discounts.

In Southampton Test, 100 restaurants took part with 64,000 meals claimed averaging at £6.42 per meal, saving a total of £413,000 in discounts.

A total of 77 restaurants took part in Romsey and Southampton North with 47,000 meals claimed at an average of £5.44. The area claimed £256,000 in discounts.

In New Forest West, 118 restaurants took part with 160,000 meals claimed at an average of £4.59 per meal - saving £734,000 in discounts.

A further 118 restaurants took part in the scheme in New Forest East with 110,000 meals claimed at an average of £5.98. The area claimed £659,000 in discounts.

In Eastleigh, 63 restaurants took part in the scheme with 53,000 meals claimed at an average of £4.93. There was £259,000 saved in discounts.

A total of 111 restaurants took part in the scheme in Winchester, with 76,000 meals claimed at an average of £6.10. The area saved £464,000 in discounts.

In Fareham there were 71 restaurants taking part in the scheme with 55,000 meals at an average of £6.11, saving a total of £338,000 in discounts.

In Gosport, 50 restaurants took part with residents claiming 37,000 meals at an average of £5.21 per person. There was £195,000 in discounts.