A GRASSROOTS football team will be providing free packed lunches for hungry children over half term.

Members of the club put out a message via facebook to tell parents that support is avaliable if their chid has a free school meal.

Disadvantaged children in East Lancashire have been denied the £15-a-week food vouchers to stop them going hungry during the October holidays.

Volunteers at Junior Gardner's Football Club in Darwen, that has almost 150 players will deliver lunches to those that need them.

Team manager, Dave Berry who has been running the club for nine years said that the club is there to help any struggling families.

He said: "We would advise parents to put their pride to one side and reach out if they need help. It will be confidential and will go no further.

"It's a tough time at the moment and we will be here for the kids and their familes, we have always been a family friendly club and will provide them with the meals that they need.

"We will deliver the packed lunches if needed. All you have to do is message us on Facebook and we will reply."

Footballer Marcus Rashford launched a successful campaign for the provision of food vouchers over the six-week summer holidays after schools were closed for the first time in modern British history. The scheme cost an estimated £126m. 

Darwen's councillor Paul Brown said that he 'supports the initiative by Junior Gardener's FC, 100 per cent'.

He said: "This is such a fantastic idea and the people who need it will appreciate it. It shows a fantastic sense of community spirit and we need the parents to reach out if they are struggling.

"No child should go hungry over the holidays."