A Scottish restaurant has become one of the first in the UK to launch an entire menu suited to those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

A common, long-term condition of the digestive system, IBS can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation for those who live with it.

Glasgow dietitian Lesley Reid is one specialist who supports sufferers on a daily basis and says she became determined to do more for them.

She approached one of her local restaurants in Glasgow, Atlantic Bar and Brasserie, to see if they could help construct an IBS friendly menu for diners.

"A lot of my clients have IBS, it can be such a social isolating condition," says Lesley.

"People sometimes feel they can't go out to eat or even catch the bus in case they fall short."

During her own treatment plans with clients, Lesley had tried what is known as a low FODMAP diet, short for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.

An evidence-based diet created by Monash University in Australia and Kings College in London, it involves restricting foods believed to cause IBS flare ups, such as wheat, onion, garlic, milk, certain fruits and lentils.

"Eating is an essential part of living and should be an enjoyable experience, but for a large proportion of the population this is not the case," says Lesley.

Chefs from Atlantic Bar and Brasserie on St Vincent Place have now come up with a robust menu which has passed the IBS test.

It features dishes including sauteed Barbary duck breast, seared Scottish scallops and banana and vanilla pudding.

"It's a French brassiere so what they've created is really good," says Lesley.

"There's duck, there's chicken and there's even lemon sole as protein doesn't tend to set off IBS.

"There was a delicious bitter chocolate mousse, too. The guys there are so talented.

"They've also done a blueberry, lemon and raspberry sorbet with an almond biscuit base."

The only criteria is that diners book in for the IBS menu 24 hours in advance to give the chefs time to prepare it.

A few IBS sufferers who have tried the dishes, which launched this week, say they have been impressed with the options.

"The food was very well presented and tasty. I was able to relax for the first time in years and had confidence in the food," posted IBS sufferer Robin.

"It was nice to eat out and not feel as if I was causing a fuss. I really like the fact I did not have to worry about the ingredients, that everything had already been checked for me."

IBS is thought to affect up to one in five people at some point in their life, and it usually first develops when a person is between 20 and 30. Around twice as many women are affected as men.

The condition is often lifelong, although it may improve over several years.

The menu in Scotland will remain on offer while the chefs see how IBS sufferers respond to their trial dishes, though Lesley is hopeful other venues will pick up on the idea.

"There's no other restaurant in Britain which has taken this on yet," she says.

"Everyone knows someone who has an upset stomach. The symptoms of IBS can really affect people's lives in that they may have to take more time off work, can become socially isolated, affect relationships and generally make them feel miserable.

"The hope that is as well as gluten free and dairy free, maybe some other restaurants might be able to take on some of the options too."