Parents worried about feeding their children during the summer holidays will receive support from the county council.

Cumbria County Council confirmed that about 6,000 children across the county have been entitled to receive free school meals during this year’s summer holidays.

"To be eligible for this, parents and carers have to be in receipt of working tax credits or other forms of income support," a spokesman for the council said.

With schools breaking up for six weeks, this will leave some families having to find extra money to feed their children during the annual break.

Councillor Sue Sanderson, the council’s cabinet member for schools and learning, has been working on this year’s scheme.

She said: "It’s so important that eligible parents continue to apply for free school meals, even though all infants now automatically get one. If they don’t apply, not only are they missing out on help with the cost of school uniforms, but their child’s school could also miss out on thousands of pounds.

"We know many families really benefit from subsidised school clothing and that is why the council continues to fund school clothing grants despite the cuts to our budget – we have a commitment to helping children and families who really need it.

"The application process is so quick and straightforward."