A NEW guide showcasing the best places to eat and drink in Wirral was launched over afternoon tea at Merseyside’s first five star hotel.

The Wirral Food and Drink Guide 2013-14 highlights around 100 places to eat from breakfast to afternoon tea and fine dining plus bars and pubs.

Wirral Council, which has published the guide with the support of members of Wirral Tourism Business Network, estimates Wirral’s visitor economy is now worth over £285million.

The food and drink sector alone is thought to be worth more than £45million employing almost 900 full-time equivalent jobs.

The guide was launched at the five star Hillbark Hotel and Spa in Frankby on Wednesday as guests sampled chef Stewart Warner’s take on the traditional British afternoon tea.

Lorna Tyson, deputy chair of the Wirral Tourism Business Network and owner/manager of five-star, Michelin Guide-listed guesthouse, Mere Brook in Thornton Hough, said: “Wirral really does have fantastic places to go for quality food and drink, which in fact supports businesses such as my own.

“My short break and business visitors always want to sample excellent, local delights.

“I have a great relationship with Wirral Council who have developed this beautiful new guide and with their support I now have special partnerships with many of our food and drink businesses across the borough.

“Wirral’s visitor economy is now worth over £285 million and has increased by some 13% over the past five years – these results speak for themselves.”