Portions of invisible chips bought by generous diners at The Golden Lion in St Ives have helped hotel owners, the Coaching Inn Group, raise thousands of pounds for Hospitality Action.

Diners choosing the 'dish' are making a £2 donation to the catering industry charity, which supports anyone working in the hotels and catering industry in their time of need.

The Hunts Post: Dominic Bird points to the invisible chips item on the menu.Dominic Bird points to the invisible chips item on the menu. (Image: The Golden Lion)

The group owns thirty-three hotels and inns in market towns, including in St Ives, across the country, and this year's invisible chips donations made by big-hearted diners have now reached a record £13,000.

READ MORE: 'Icing on the cake' - Hotel worker wins national award up against 1,500 employees

Group chief executive officer Kevin Charity said the group's whole ethos was based around providing 'hospitality from the heart' for all the market town communities it served.

"So, thanks to our core base of generous-hearted community customers and our many hotel guests, we have now been able to donate £29,000 to Hospitality Action over the past three years," he said.

Founded in 1837, the charity offers time of need support to all working in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes, schools, hospitals, or event venues.