FOODIES will soon be able to ‘check-in’ to the Steaks on a Plane restaurant.

This week the scaffolding and sheeting, which has so far kept the Boeing 737 aircraft under wraps, has been removed ready for ‘take off’.

The exterior of the black and white plane has been unveiled showing the Steak Out brand name, Steaks on a Plane restaurant name and the restored windows, with decorative livery.

The plane, which ‘landed’ in Bolton last year after being brought from the Cotswolds, was formerly operated by Russian carrier Yamal Airlines.

But for months The Steak Out and developer E-sparkle have been transforming the section of plane into a restaurant for 28 diners.

And now it has been revealed that the plane will be undergoing some ‘test flights’ this month ready for its official opening to the public in January.

Project manager Ridwan Asmal said: “We were pushing for it to be up and running before Christmas but we need to do some test runs and then hopefully open at the end of December or first week of January.

“I have never project managed a plane transformation before but when you see it now with the leather interior, neon and LED lights and think it used to be a plane, it is fantastic.”

Young people from Bolton Job Centre have helped to refurbish the plane, which has had its cockpit restored, a balcony added and an open plan kitchen where diners can watch their grill-type food be cooked.

There will also be a canopy put over the stairs to enter the eatery.

The ceiling of the plane has been transformed, with the use of LED lights, to look like the sky and decorations from different countries around the world will adorn the cabin.

A digital advertisement screen, on the wing , is also set to go live next week which will showcase 30 businesses. with each receiving a 10 second slot.

Mr Asmal added: “It is putting Bolton on the map.

“It is phenomenal.”

The ambitious project was given the green light by Bolton Council’s planning committee in October 2014, to replace the iconic red double decker Steak Out bus which had previously taken centre stage on the site.