A ready meal range designed to cater for Britain’s growing elderly population is rolling into Booths stores this week.

The supermarket is stocking four single-serve On The Menu products (rsp: £2.29) - pot roast chicken, pork & apple casserole, braised lamb’s liver, and a gammon in parsley sauce - all with vegetables.

The film lid on the meals has a large tab to make it easier to peel and large type has been used for the cooking instructions. Recipes are free from ingredients likely to irritate those with digestive sensitivities.

The range also is on trial in Asda in Dorset.

Almost half of people aged 75 and over lived in one-person households, said Mintel.