A BLOGGER has been visiting restaurants around the area to review dishes.

David Hales is a foodie from Newton-le-Willows who started recording his dining experiences 10 years ago.

His blog account, The Cook Twit, started on Twitter and has since ventured onto Instagram where he posts regular photos of his meals in restaurants.

David said: "It started as a bit of a hobby about 10 years ago. I worked in Manchester and at that time, Twitter was the big social media platform, and pretty much every restaurant and bar had their own twitter handle and food blogging was quite a thing.

"I thought I’d quite like doing that as I’m a bit of a foodie, so I started by taking pictures and then it built up after that.

"The followers started coming in and I got quite notorious in the area. It’s just a habit now really whenever I go to restaurants."

The 59-year-old has blogged many restaurants in Manchester and some in Newton as well.

His go-to is The Firkin on the high street, where he regularly visits with his dog Martha.

David also shares photos of his visits to other independent businesses on the high street, including the Riddling Rack and The Kirkfield Hotel.

St Helens Star: Cockapoo Martha makes the cut in a picture post at the Riddling Rack Cockapoo Martha makes the cut in a picture post at the Riddling Rack

St Helens Star: David shared a mouth-watering photo with his followers on Instagram David shared a mouth-watering photo with his followers on Instagram

The interior designer explained how a restaurant’s style and atmosphere play a key role in the dining experience.

He added: "That can really make it. You can have a really nice meal but be shoved in a corner with no music and a draft, but it could also go another way, where you can have a not too great of a meal but you’re sat on the veranda with the sun out."

Although he enjoys dining out, David also is a fan of cooking and enjoys serving his own meals using local ingredients.

David was made redundant at his interior design job in November 2020 due to the pandemic, however, has since set up his own interior design business called Nine Plus One.

To follow David and Martha on their restuarant ventures, visit The Cook Twit on Twitter and Instagram.