Diners will be able to enjoy half-price meals starting on Monday as the Government kick-starts its August scheme aimed at boosting restaurant and pub trade following the lockdown.

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme will see bills slashed by 50% on all eat-in meals ordered between Monday and Wednesday this month at participating restaurants, cafes and bars.

The discount per person will be capped at £10 and does not apply to alcohol.

The move is designed to increase confidence among the public and encourage people to visit restaurateurs, many of whom were badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly during the lockdown months when much of their business was put on hold.

But critics have aimed fire at the interventionist plan and said fast-food outlets serving unhealthy products should have been banned from participating due to fears the subsidised costs could fuel obesity.

It also attracted controversy once it emerged that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had to make a ministerial order to enact the policy after HM Revenue and Customs chief executive Jim Harra said there was "uncertainty surrounding the value for money of this proposal".

Around 80% of hospitality firms stopped trading in April, with 1.4 million workers furloughed - the highest of any sector - according to Government data.

Many of the outlets that have reopened have been forced to operate with fewer covers to comply with social distancing rules, while also having in some cases to introduce screens and one-way systems as part of efforts to make their premises Covid-secure.

Major chains, including Pizza Express, Costa Coffee, McDonald's and Nando's, are among the 72,000 eateries to have signed-up.

Mr Sunak said: "Our Eat Out to Help Out scheme's number one aim is to help protect the jobs of 1.8 million chefs, waiters and restaurateurs by boosting demand and getting customers through the door.

"More than 72,000 establishments will be serving discounted meals across the country, with the Government paying half the bill.

"The industry is a vital ingredient to our economy and it's been hit hard by coronavirus, so enjoy summer safely by showing your favourite places your support - we'll pay half."

No vouchers are required for those booking tables, with the participating establishment deducting 50% from the bill and charging the discount to the Treasury.

Officials said there had been more than 3.3 million hits on the Eat Out to Help Out restaurant finder website since it started up last week, giving an indication of the demand for the month-long saver scheme.

But Munira Wilson MP, the Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman, said the Chancellor should have prevented diners from using the discount to buy junk food.

The start of the scheme comes only a week after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the Government's obesity crackdown.

"We all recognise the need to support the high street through the pandemic, but the Government should have been more discerning with this scheme," said Ms Wilson.

"Obesity is already an immense challenge for people and the NHS, but the latest research suggests it also contributes to the deadliness of coronavirus.

"With a number of fast-food chains signing up to the scheme, it seems clear that public health did not factor into the Government's decision.

"The Government must put public health first and exclude from the scheme meals and drinks proven to contribute to obesity. We cannot afford to risk lives as we reopen the economy."