Sandwell Council will be funding free school meals to those families who are eligible during the February half-term holidays.

Parents and carers will be contacted through their child's school and will receive vouchers to go towards the cost of food for the two week break. Councillor Wasim Ali, cabinet member for resources and core services, said:

"We will again be providing funding for free school meals to ensure no child goes hungry this half-term using a voucher scheme to eligible families.

"I encourage all those families who are eligible to take up this offer. I would like to thank all of our schools for their help and support in getting these vouchers to those families who need them."

Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's deputy leader, added:

"We used vouchers to help families during the last school holiday and will again do this to make things a little easier for our families to help with the cost of a meal."

Once verified, vouchers will be sent to parents electronically with an alternative being offered to those parents without mobile phones or internet access.

Sandwell Council has budgeted £262,500 to help around 17,500 children. Eligible families will receive a voucher for £15 per child for the week-long school holiday.

Schools will contact parents in the coming week when details on how to access the vouchers will be available.