SCHOOLS across East Lancashire will continue to look after the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils during the Easter holiday.

The decision to keep classrooms open affects Blackburn with Darwen and the Lancashire County Council's 12 boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

More than 80 per cent of schools will remain open in some form over the holiday period and over 40 per cent will open on the Good Friday and Easter Monday Bank Holidays.

More schools are joining together to offer a shared provision.

Cllr Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council's education, boss, said: "Officers are working with childcare providers and schools to continue to open for critical workers’ children and vulnerable children throughout the Easter holidays. This is needed by a number of key workers as they are currently unable to rely on their normal networks of support via their family and friends.

"Teachers and education staff, amongst many other keyworkers are playing a vital part in the fight against this virus.”

Children who are eligible for free school meals will receive food vouchers through the national scheme once the new school term begins.