Thousands of Leicestershire families struggling with the cost of living will get extra help to pay for food during October half-term, the county council has announced.

School meal vouchers are to be available for some 14,000 eligible children so their parents and carers can buy £15 worth of food for the week-long break that starts on October 18.

The county council is setting up the scheme so the vouchers become available, through schools - including those in Ashby and Measham - from next week.

Leicestershire has received £3.6 million of Government cash from the Department of Work and Pension's Household Support Fund, to help support those most in need with food, energy and water bills, as well as pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In total the Leicestershire October half-term school food voucher package will cost £240,000.

As well as the 14,000 mainstream school children who qualify, there will be support for eligible youngsters who are in early years education or have special educational needs.

Deputy council leader and cabinet lead member for children and families councillor Deborah Taylor said: "We know many people are struggling financially at the moment and are worried about how they will manage this winter on the back of a tough time following the coronavirus pandemic.

"Over the last year, the council stepped up to ensure those children and families who were most in need, got the support they needed.

"Once again, the council is stepping up to the plate and announcing a package of help to ensure no-one over the coming half-term goes without."

Cllr Taylor added: "It's our number one priority to support as many families as we can, and this extra money from Government allows us to do just that."