A Welshpool venue is celebrating after its newest menu item proved a hit - despite being admittedly a bit lacking in flavour.

Bosses at the Coaching Inn Group say kind hearted hotel guests and diners at The Royal Oak in Welshpool have helped them make a sizeable donation to the industry charity Hospitality Action by buying £2 portions of the so-called Invisible Chips, where diners can add the item to their bill as a donation.

The ‘chips’ were added to the menus of all eighteen hotels and inns in market towns across the country and diners were invited to purchase a charity portion.

That was a year ago; and since then around 4,000 invisible portions were ordered but never served and now Hospitality Action is receiving a cheque for £8,000.

This national charity is there to offer help, advice and support when times get tough to anyone working in the wide- ranging hospitality sector from hotel personnel through to restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, schools, hospitals or event venues.

Coaching In Group CEO Kevin Charity said: "I am delighted at the generous response from diners and the Invisible Chips will remain a fixture on the menu for the foreseeable future."