The families of 35,000 children and young people across the county will have £30 per child to spend on food over the two-week Christmas holiday after Essex County Council launched a free school meals scheme.

Vouchers are being sent out to parents of eligible children throughout the county area - including the Maldon district - and to qualifying young people this week.

Parents and young people will be sent their e-vouchers by email or text between 14-18 December. Printed vouchers will be provided to parents who cannot access them online.

The vouchers can only be exchanged for food. They can be used in most supermarkets and the McColls chain of local shops.

Essex County Council has commissioned Wonde, a national provider of free school meal vouchers, to send the vouchers direct and ease the burden on schools that are already busy coping with the impacts of Covid-19.

Parents or young people who have received vouchers or who have questions can find out more via the link here

Councillor Louise McKinlay,Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Essex County Council, said: "Building on the extensive support that we have given to families during the pandemic, the Christmas free school meals initiative should mean there is food on the table for every one of the 35,000 children and young people in Essex who are eligible for free school meals.

"I want to thank the Government, schools, colleges and council staff for their hard work in making this happen in a very short space of time and to wish all the children, young people and their families a happy Christmas and New Year."