A popular programme of activities and food for children on free school meals is back for the festive season.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme returns between December 22 and January 6 after it saw thousands of families through Easter and Summer.

The activities have been funded through a Government grant of more than £1M.

Coordinated by Bolton Council in collaboration with charities and other organisations, the popular programme is available to children on free school meals.

There are sessions for four hours a day, four days a week across the area, including at schools and sports clubs.

In addition, for the festive season, there are tickets to the pantomime at the Albert Halls and to the Christmas Festival, as well as hundreds of festive hampers.

All the sessions include free food, although for those who are eligible but do not wish to attend, there is also free food available from pick-up points organised by Urban Outreach.

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Bolton Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, Anne Galloway, said: "Christmas can bring additional financial challenges for families who are already struggling with the rising cost of living. The HAF programme aims to relieve some of this burden to help those who need it the most in our community.

"It provides food and fun activities for families as well as creating extra special Christmas time memories for children.

"I urge residents to pass on the message about this free service and I really encourage families to visit the website to see the wide range of activities on offer.

"A big ‘thank you’ to our wonderful partners who make the programme a success, along with our own Play and Youth Team, including Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Urban Outreach, CVS and Bolton Together."

The HAF programme is funded by a government grant, which for this year came to a total of more than £1.4 million.

For information, go to bolton.gov.uk/HAF.