THE Drive-thru at Rhug Estate is set to be officially opened by a Welsh Government Minister.

Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, will officially open the facility based near Corwen at midday on Thursday, March 28.

Rhug Estate made retail history when owner Lord Newborough set up the UK's very first farm-based Drive-Thru.

It is positioned at the entrance to the farm, situated on the busy A5 road running in to north Wales, two miles west of Corwen.

Visitors to Rhug who are short of time visit the Drive Thru to purchase homemade Rhug organic chicken curry and Rhug organic beef minced Chilli Con Carne as well as hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, paninis, pastries, toasties and cakes.

Owner Lord Newborough said, “We are grateful to the Minister for agreeing to officially open the Drive Thru next week.

"In this busy world we live in I recognise that not everyone has the time to stop and enjoy a delicious meal in our Bistro or quick burger at the take away, so the new Drive Thru complements the facilities that we already have and provides an easy, quick, solution to the hungry traveller who wants to get back on their journey without delay.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the locals and holiday makers who have visited us already and have made us a regular stop off on their journeys.”

Lord Newborough was awarded the title of ‘Slow Food Cymru / Wales’ Person of the Year’ last November for creating the first drive thru on a farm in the UK.

Nia Williams, Director of Slow Food Cymru/Wales, who nominated Lord Newborough for the unique award said: "Rhug’s drive thru is as far from fast food as it can be. We salute the work Lord Newborough has done.

"He’s looked at the large fast food chains and thought – do you know what – I can’t join them but I can beat them. This fits in completely with the whole ethos of the Slow Food movement. Lord Newborough is Wales’ answer to Carlo Petrini, the founder of Slow Food in Italy."