A PIZZA business has gone from strength to strength since it began its life behind its founder’s home.

Stretch Pizza is the brain child of Sam Farrer, who currently lives in Meathop, and serves sourdough pizzas using seasonal local produce.

The business has now expanded and Mr Farrer is providing Kendal residents with the Italian classic from outside the Ring O'Bells pub.

"It began small, we were doing it for the community," said Mr Farrer.

Mr Farrer has previous experience making pizzas after working in a London restaurant for over a year, he moved to the Lakes just before lockdown to be nearer to his family.

"For my birthday I got a pizza oven and I was bored so I decided to make a few pizzas and give them to the people of Meathop for free," said the 23-year-old.

"And people said it's really good we want to keep coming back."

The hand made pizzas combine seasonal vegetables sourced from Growing Well, Sizergh, cheese from Lancashire and tomato sauce made from scratch.

""That's always been the core ethos of the pizzas," said Mr Farrer.

"That everything is super local and super seasonal.

"At Meathop we grew from doing 20 pizzas, to 60 to 80 pizzas a week."

It was when lockdown restrictions eased in July that the new businessman looked into expanding.

Looking for premises he was put in contact with the landlord of the Ring O'Bells, Chris Duxbury, who allowed the pizzeria to operate from the pub's curb side space.

"He's been fantastic," said Mr Farrer.

"Since then we've had loads of interest and fantastic responses."

Mr Farrer is thinking about further ideas to grow the business, the operation is currently manned solely by the chef.

"I am looking to stay at the pub for the foreseeable future," he said.

"With the new lockdown restrictions recently announced I think now is not the best time.

"But I am looking at the next six months, looking at a wider plan for growing larger."