FOOD vouchers will be given to families in need during October half term.

Somerset County Council (SCC) have again agreed to offer food vouchers, worth £15 per week, to children eligible for free school meals.

Schools will also be given an additional 15 per cent of funding to provide vouchers for other families in need of support.

The vouchers are funded by the Covid Local Support Grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.

This grant has provided £230,000 to SCC, alongside £57,000 from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund.

A further £150,000 has been allocated by SCC to provide activities for children and young people who qualify for free school meals over the October half term.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, SCC lead member for Children’s Services said: “I am pleased that we are once again able to help families who need food support over the October half term.

"To be able to provide additional funds for fun, healthy activities that will benefit the children and young people is very positive indeed.”

Anyone who needs support with access to food or medicine, can call the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on 0300 790 6275.