A restaurant in west Dorset is the first in the south west to offer CBD bitters in its drinks.

The Club House in West Bexington has launched its latest addition in partnership with OTO, a UK-based company that specialises in high-concentration CBD products.

CBD (cannabidiol) is the non-psychoactive extract from the hemp plant which is reported to relieve stress and anxiety.

Guests were invited to an exclusive launch evening of cocktails and food at The Club House, with a menu specially designed by staff.

Firstly, they were introduced to the products made by OTO by Tom Lorimer, of the company, and told how it was set up due to a gap in the market for high-concentration, effective CBD products. It aims to change people’s perception of the oil and follows a boom in wellness.

Fefe, The Club House’s assistant manager and mixologist, paired cocktails, topped with the CBD bitters, with canapes and a three-course menu, which included The Raspberry Shard, Ruby’s Garden, Under the Sea and The Bourbon Marmalade.

Guests enjoyed a starter of crispy cuttlefish, followed by pan roasted fillet of hake, topped off with an ‘Old Fashioned ice cream sandwich’.

Cocktails and mocktails with the CBD bitters are now available at the seafront restaurant, with the bitters and other products by OTO - such as pillow mist, roll-ons and beauty products - also available to buy at hivebeachcafe.co.uk/shop

Steve Attrill, owner of The Club House, said: “The evening ended on a massive high - it was great.

“The collaboration with OTO was through a previous employee at Glastonbury. We have had a friendship since, and we embarked on this new project.

“We are the first in the south west to offer the bitters.

“We will also be offering OTO’s facial creams in the new year. Harrods have the sole rights to some of the beauty products until January 1.”

OTO bitters is non-alcoholic and made from natural ingredients. It combines pure CBD from organically grown hemp plants with a mix of botanical extracts. A single measure of the bitters delivers a serving of 50mg of CBD.

Antonia Jamison, director of OTO, said: “At OTO, our aim is to create the world’s finest CBD experiences. Sadly, too many products on the market contain ineffective levels of CBD to have any real impact, which is why we spent a lot of time determining the optimum strength.

“Adding OTO’s CBD bitters will help people feel ‘in the moment’. It’s not about losing yourself, it’s about connecting to the present, the experience and the people around you.

“Not only do OTO’s optimum strength CBD bitters offer and enjoyable and functional alternative to alcohol, they can also enhance a night of drinking. Preliminary studies have shown that CBD protects against the neurodegeneration associated with alcohol consumption. The natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may also help protect the liver from alcohol-generated oxidative stress. That could mean less stress on the body long-term and even less intense hangovers the next day.”