Very, very early mornings are an inevitable part of life as a reporter.

Whether it be chatting to keen shoppers as they queue up for the opening of a new supermarket or another protest by Extinction Rebellion activists who have risen early to trap morning traffic, covering news sometimes means not getting much sleep.

And, unfortunately, too many times I’ve stumbled out of bed into my car and headed off to whatever awaits with nothing to fuel me but a coffee - and probably a cigarette...

But thankfully for this often bleary-eyed - and admittedly not exactly conscious - reporter, there’s a proper old school place right in Stroud town centre for something hot and fast when the job is done: Cafe Max on Russell Street.

It is my favourite cafe to go to once the day’s madness has wrapped up and the rumbling of my belly has reached an embarrassingly high volume because it is the perfect spot to nix any exhaustion with a quick, hearty all day breakfast - and much more too.

When you walk in, you’re instantly hit with activity - smells from the griddle, the buzz of other diners talking, waitresses running to and fro - and this feeling you’re in the thick of it gives you an energy boost before you’ve even eaten.

There is plenty of seating to choose from. My favourite tables are those by the cafe’s big windows which make for a good perch for some people watching, especially as the train station nearby.

Staff are extremely friendly and their service attentive. When you sit down, someone is shortly with you to take your order - but you might need more time.

That’s because the menu is massive. Aside from a huge range of breakfasts - ranging from the traditional to the vegetarian to, well, breakfast with chips - Cafe Max also offers burgers, paninis, jacket potatoes - even waffles for pudding.

On the particular occasion of this review, I opt for the Brunch Breakfast, which comes with griddled eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast.

I also get a cup of coffee with milk, and, when it arrives, I feel like it sums up why I love the place.

There’s no special roasted blend - no obscure beans from far away, so bitter that, when brewed, hipsters have to hold back a wince - it’s just a solid coffee, caffeine and all, that does the simple but crucial job of waking me up.

I soon get to eat my breakfast and it’s delicious, my only complaint being that the eggs were not runny.

Overall, Cafe Max is an absolute gem. There’s loads of choice, a friendly team and great grub at a reasonable price.