Children who are on free school meals will continue to be fed over the October half-term.

Lancashire County Council will supply vouchers to families who receive benefits related free school meals as part of the government's Household Support Fund (HSF) grant which will support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.

Through the fund, schools can support eligible pupils with a £15 voucher to cover the one-week holiday.

The families of children and young people from reception to Year 11 will receive the vouchers.

Cabinet member for education and skills, County Councillor Jayne Rear said: "I welcome this news from the government as it means that some eligible families will continue to receive support whilst the schools are closed for the half-term break.

"We're pleased that the government has announced this new grant, as we can use it to help some of our families.

“Unfortunately, school holidays can be a real challenge for our poorest families in Lancashire.

“The vouchers will help to ensure that children will be able to have healthy and nourishing meals during the holiday."

If a family is eligible for free school meals, their school will be in touch with them about the voucher scheme.

The electronic shopping vouchers will be distributed from the schools that the children and young people attend and will be available to use to buy food at a range of supermarkets.

Similar to the term-time voucher scheme, the vouchers can be used at Aldi, Asda, McColl’s, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Company Shop Group and Iceland, including The Food Warehouse Stores.

Families can redeem vouchers by either presenting them on their smartphone or tablet, or a paper copy.

Information about the eligibility criteria for free school meals can be found at www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/free-school-meals