EVERY so often I like to take the good lady out for a meal. It’s the least I can do for her as she has had to put up with me for the past 14 years.

Once a week, when our children are at school, I always make time to take her for a spot of lunch.

One of the finest establishments we have visited is George Bolam’s, Sedgefield, where you can get two types of meat dishes, pork chops or mince and dumplings served with a huge amount of mashed potato and vegetables, all thrown in with a dessert at a very affordable price.

Not only that, but if Mr Bolam is working he often wanders out from behind the serving counter to ask diners if their food is OK, a question which always receives a reply along the lines of: “Champion, ta, George.”

As someone who likes to support local businesses and spend my money in the region, I cannot recommend a better place to dine if you desire a good old-fashioned midweek English feast. The food and value is so good that I just had to put pen to paper to praise it.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.