HOT meals and holiday clubs will be made available to disadvantaged children around Middlesbrough after government funding was confirmed.

Middlesbrough Council will receive £1.047m from the Holidays Activities Fund, a report to Mayor Andy Preston and senior councillors outlines.

The cash will fund food, sport and exercise sessions and education around nutrition for more than 8,000 children and young people in receipt of free school meals related benefits.

Supervised sessions will be available for at least four hours a day, four days a week in the summer holidays. Support will also be on offer during the Christmas and Easter breaks.

Councillor Dorothy Davison, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "So many families around Middlesbrough will benefit from these fun activities. I'm really pleased we're able to provide hot and nutritious food which is crucial to young people's development."

Councillor Mieka Smiles, Executive Member for Communities and Education, said: "This funding is very welcome and more important now than ever after the effects of Covid-19.

"These sessions will help keep children and young people active and engaged over the holidays. They can learn so much while having fun and making new friends."

The families of those attending will also get access to housing support officers and affordable warmth advisers where required. Depending on the take-up, the Council may also have the option of providing food and holiday club activities for those not in receipt of free school meals related benefits. 

The Easter provision will be delivered remotely in line with Covid-19 restrictions, with some face to face delivery and virtual sessions hosted on Teesside TV. It's hoped face-to-face sessions will begin in the summer.

The Council's Executive will be asked to approve the grant at a meeting on Tuesday (March 16).