FAMILIES in Bolton have been learning how to eat healthily and reduce their food bills at a series of events being held across the borough.

There have been 12 ‘Holiday Kitchen’ programmes in Greater Manchester throughout August offering free and affordable meals and activities that improve children’s well-being and educational opportunities.

The programmes, which involve eight sessions across the summer break, are being held thanks to a collaboration between 14 of the region’s social housing providers — including Bolton at Home.

Jon Lord, chief executive of Bolton at Home and chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers Group, said: “This is a great example of housing organisations across the region working together to provide activities for their tenants and the wider community, helping families to reduce the financial and emotional strain of the school holidays.”

Bolton resident Terri Mayoh took her two daughters to one of the events at the New Bury community building in George Street, Farnworth.

They were one of nine families there learning how to make healthy fajita wraps.

Ms Mayoh's family have even started to grow their own food, both at home and using an allotment.

She said: “This is a really good way of bringing the community together in the holidays and helping children gain a better knowledge of healthy eating and understanding where food comes from.”

Holiday Kitchen was launched in 2013 by a housing association in Birmingham and the programme has become so successful it is now being rolled out nationwide