Easter dinner need not be a laborious affair if you go to a Toby carvery. JAINE BLACKMAN found straightforward food, and prices to match.

EASTER is just around the corner, and if you want to have a big family get together without sweating over a hot oven for half the day, a carvery might be the answer.

The Friary Toby Carvery has just launched its new spring menu, which also features several salads. But it's the meaty roasts which are still the real attraction at the North Swindon pub and restaurant.

Served all week, you can choose between honey and mustard glazed gammon, turkey breast and roast beef - or dig into all three.

Then you can help yourself to as much or as little as you like from a range of eight steamed or roasted vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, sauces and gravies.

The pricing is simple: a single course carvery (you can go back for seconds of Yorkshires, stuffing, vegetables and sauces) is £6.50 from Monday to Friday after 7pm, or £8 on Saturday after 7pm and all day Sunday.

But it's an even better deal Monday to Saturday until 7pm (excluding bank holidays) at £6.50 for two courses, with a starter of tomato soup or melon, ice cream for pudding or tea or coffee. Or you can add any other pudding or starter and save £1 off the normal menu price.

There are nine starters, ranging from £2.19 for melon to £3.50 for spicy lamb kebab or chicken tikka.

Alternatives to the carvery include a vegetarian choice of the day, four salads, cod fillet in cheese sauce and beef and Guinness pie.

Apart from the fish (at £8) the dishes are all £6.50 from Monday to Friday and Saturday until 7pm, and £8 Saturday after 7pm and all day Sunday.

Extra options for lunch (before 7pm Monday to Saturday) are a hot Toby Carvery sandwich at £3.50, or £4.50 with veg.

Desserts range from £2.49 for an ice cream sundae to £3.99 for chocolate and orange profiterole sundae.

All hot desserts, like cherry pie or treacle sponge, both £2.99, are served with a bottomless custard jug.

On a recent visit, my friend Mick went for the carvery and declared himself well stuffed afterwards. I was impressed with the fact that the vegetables were still fresh and not overcooked.

I wasn't quite so happy with my Chef's Signature Club Salad. It was all a bit too sweet for me.

The mango and sweet chilli dressing was too sugary and not fiery enough for my taste and with a fruity turkey and mango salad also on the menu, it might have been better without the tinned pineapple.

But I did enjoy the Toby crumble (£3.10) we shared for dessert.

The pub/restaurant is a pleasant enough place with the kind of traditional decor that mixes different patterned upholstery, curtains and carpet.

The walls are packed with pictures ranging from old pin-up shots of Joan Collins to sea-side postcard cartoons and shots from TV shows.

Service was swift, helpful and very friendly . . . and, best of all, someone else did the washing up.

The Friary

Elstree Way, Haydon Wick, Swindon SN2 3YX

Tel: 01793 702081.

Opening hours: 11.30am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, Sunday 11am to 11pm, food served every day from opening to 10pm.

No smoking in restaurant; disabled access and toilet; child's menu; parking.