MORE than 90 children from across Torfaen have taken part in a pilot programme aiming to eradicate hunger and poverty during the school summer holidays.

Funded by the Welsh Government, the Holiday Hunger project was rolled out at two primary schools – Blaenavon Heritage and Cwmbran’s Nant Celyn.

Led by Torfaen Play, the scheme was open to families with children on free school meals, between the ages of five and 11, who would receive a free healthy breakfast and dinner throughout the working week.

Cllr David Daniels, Torfaen council’s executive member for communities, housing and anti-poverty, said: “The Play Service have provided a fantastic and much needed service over the summer period.

“With continued austerity, having greater impact across deprived areas of Torfaen, parents are continuing to feel the financial squeeze on their expenditure.

“Funded programmes like Holiday Hunger are able to offer hope and stability for so many families across Torfaen throughout the summer period, ensuring their children are well nourished and healthier overall.”

During the four week schedule, 50 children were registered with the programme in Blaenavon, while 45 young people participated in the Cwmbran project.

In addition, a number of outside agencies were involved in the project by delivering sessions to the children to support the ethos of leading a healthy lifestyle.

This included nutrition sessions with a local dietician, judo sessions, safer relationships session with Bron Afon, sports sessions and more.

Parents were also invited in for breakfast each Friday, to ensure they understood the ethos of a healthy lifestyle in order to support their children in improving their diets.