Co-op’s £8 Valentine’s Day meal deal includes STEAK – but it is £2 more expensive than last year

VALENTINE'S Day can be expensive - but worry no more as the Co-op is helping couples keep costs low by launching a romantic meal deal for £8.

This year, the offer includes prime cut rump steaks - but it is £2 pricier than last year's deal.

Last year, Co-op's meal deal was one of the cheapest around at £6.

This year, it's gone up in price by £2 - but you now get steak as one of the options for the extra money.

The offer includes a main for two, and either two sides or one side and a dessert from Co-op's luxury Irresistible range.

We've worked out the best value combination so you can really get your money's worth.

The best main to pick is a 700g Irresistible Pecorino Mac & Cheese for £6 as it's one of the joint-priciest options and it contains the most food.

You should then choose one of the £3 desserts - either the two-pack Irresistible Chocolate Melt in the Middle Puddings or the 250g Irresistible Sticky Toffee Pudding.

We then advise choosing one of two £2.80 sides - either the 400g Irresistible Triple Cooked Chunky Chips or the 400g Irresistible Dauphinoise Potatoes.

The items should cost £11.80 in total so you'll save £3.80 by picking up the deal.

Even the worst value combination will save you money.

Picking the 700g £4.99 Irresistible Lasagne Al Forno and two 160g £2.50 Irresistible Asparagus and Tenderstem Broccoli Medleys adds up to £9.99 - saving you £1.99.

At £8, Co-op's meal deal is more expensive than the cheapest Valentine's deal at Aldi, which starts from £6.77 for two including a main, side dish and dessert.

But Aldi's offer isn't a set price so shoppers can potentially save more money by choosing Co-op.

The Co-op's dine-in deal is nearly half the price of Asda's £15 offer - but it doesn't include as much.

Asda's meal deal comes with starters, mains, side dishes, desserts and a bottle of wine.

Meanwhile M&S and Tesco have similar Valentine's Day deals to Asda priced at £20 for two.

The Co-op's offer will launch in stores only on Wednesday, February 6 and will last until shops close on Thursday, February 14.

It's not the only heart-y deal available at the Co-op.

The supermarket is selling a bottle of its Irresistible Prosecco - normally £8 - and a 200g box of Lindt Lindor Milk Cornet Box - normally £4 - for £10, which saves £2.

The offer runs until February 20 in stores only.

Kevin Sargent, Co-op’s senior product developer, said: “Each Irresistible product is made using expert techniques and the finest ingredients which have been carefully sourced and selected to create truly delicious dishes. Perfect for impressing that special someone on the most romantic day of the year."

There are more than 4,000 Co-op branches in the UK, with 70,000 employees. You can find your nearest food shop using its .

The Co-op is planning to open 100 more stores this year in a bid to take on larger supermarkets.

Meanwhile the group and rival Tesco is testing out robot deliveries that whizz groceries to your door in 15 minutes.

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