LEADER of Stroud District Council, Doina Cornell has called for a local scheme to extend free school meals to local children in the holidays following the government's failure this week to back an extension of the scheme that ran over the summer.

"I was disappointed to see that Parliament voted not to extend the summer holiday scheme so children on free school meals could get support during holidays through to Easter 2021," said Labour councillor, Ms Cornell.

"People are losing their jobs and foodbank use has shot up due to the impact of the pandemic. Now is the time to support families, and not let children go hungry."

Ms Cornell has written to other Gloucestershire council leaders asking them to back a local scheme.

"My preference would be to work with other council leaders in the county, to jointly replace the Government support. I have had a positive response to my letter from some of our local council leaders, although

there isn't much time to get a scheme in place for October half term.

"I am now urgently working with local community networks and local schools to get something in place for half term at least in our district.

"Looking ahead, I hope we can all work together to make sure no child in Gloucestershire goes hungry in the Christmas holidays."

There are approximately 1560 children registered as eligible for free school meals in Stroud District.