A PARTNERSHIP of two leading Blackburn schools has provided thousands of free meals to people during the coronavirus lockdown.

Westholme and the Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School have been working with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn Youth Zone and Newground Together to cook more than 5,000 meals for households in need.

Now it needs cash support to continue the service into the summer and has appealed to borough businesses for help.

Cllr Mustafa Desai, the council’s adult services boss, said: “As the lockdown situation continues and people face financial pressures, this service is undoubtedly a lifeline to some of the borough’s residents.

“This is a unique opportunity to help a newly established partnership continue supporting vulnerable people who are struggling.”

Businesses and organisations who can offer funding to help the partnership can contact Hannah Allen from Blackburn Youth Zone viahannah.allen@blackburnyz.org.