In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings the Blue Apple catering team at Help for Heroes' recovery centre in Tedworth House, Tidworth, have run a ration book system in Café Hero, cooked up a D-Day inspired dish and staff even held a fancy dress day with a Spam outfit created by a resident.

Those working and resident in the house were provided with ration books at the start of the week with the incentive of additional rations today for those who have been savvy with their purchases throughout the week.

Stamps have been available for meat, bacon and ham, butter and margarine, cooking fats, and sugar.

Front of house assistant Sara Brown said: “It’s not about how much you buy, but what you buy. If someone buys a chicken and bacon sandwich they will receive three stamps; one for meat, one for bacon and ham, and one for butter and margarine”.

Inspired by the Great British Menu BBC television series, the Blue Apple chefs put together a special D-Day landing menu for residents to enjoy of Fish on the Beach, featuring a simply cooked fillet of coley.

Catering manager Craig Lumley said: “We wanted to mark the anniversary in some way, and this seemed like a good idea to get staff and residents involved together.”

And centre manager Giles Woodhouse said: “It is important for all of us to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings and I am hugely grateful to the Blue Apple team for the effort they have gone to in marking the event this year.”