Vulnerable children in Surbiton and Kingston are to receive food vouchers to cover the half-term holiday AND Christmas.

Kingston Council has answered campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford’s call to arms, and will support hard-pressed families after the government refused to extend the holiday scheme it brought in during the summer.

The council will fund food vouchers for parents whose children have a social worker, youngsters being supported by the borough’s children’s services department, and any families impacted by the pandemic.

Full details will be published on the council’s website in the next few days, once the nuts and bolts have been worked out.

Cllr Diane White said: “It’s important that we do everything we can to support our children and families in need, and I am very pleased that we are able to make this contribution towards reducing holiday hunger.”