A catering supplier says it has been overwhelmed by the response to a new click and collect service, launched amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Caterite Food and Wineservice began taking orders from the public on March 20.

People can order from its range of 3500 products, which includes non-food items such as loo roll and wipes.

They can then collect the orders from the company's site in Embleton, near Cockermouth.

Group managing director Lorcan Byrne said it had received 8500 requests from the public to create an account and had 1300 people come and collect orders.

He said when people came to collect the goods staff at caterite opened the boot of the car and placed the order inside to reduce contact as much as possible.

The service is designed to help the vulnerable and the elderly, parents at home with children and those self-isolating, while at the same time encourage social distancing.

"It's gone fantastically well for us," said Lorcan.

"It has really helped to give the staff some focus during what has been an incredibly difficult time.

"It has helped keep the operation going and maintain our supply routes. Most importantly it's helping serve the local community.

"The feedback we have had has been incredibly positive and it has been quite overwhelming and quite emotional."

It had been such a success that the business plans to continue the service when the crisis ends.

"It's absolutely something we will continue to do," he said.

Lorcan said since many of the hospitality businesses which the company supplied had closed, it had lost around 70 per cent of its normal trade.

However, it was continuing to supply customers such as care homes, schools, grocery stores and businesses that were operating as takeaways.

Some of its 170 staff had been put on furlough as a result, Lorcan said.

Where possible staff were working from home, while others at work were observing strict rules around social distancing and hygiene.

More information about the click and collect service is available from Caterite's website.