A FREE lunchbox scheme for families struggling to make ends meet will be held for the first time throughout the summer holidays.

Families will need to register at their nearest children's centre by Friday, July 14, for the Kingdom Outreach scheme.

Lunches will be available for collection from 11am to 1pm Monday to Friday throughout the holidays. There will also be lots of free family fun activities going on during the collection sessions.

More than 3,700 children in Blackburn with Darwen claim free school meals with 870 already registering for the scheme.

Volunteers are also needed between 7.45am to 9am to make up sandwiches and pack the bags and volunteer drivers between 9.30am and 11am to drop bags at children's centres.

The organisation is keen to hear from organisations and businesses who would like to help as part of the corporate social responsibility.

The group is also looking for donations of kitchen items.

To register as a volunteer send your name, contact number and the sessions you can volunteer to sarah.riley@greatplaces.org.uk or text them to 07929 651447.

You can also donate to the group's justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blackburnsummerlunchbox.