A pilot project to tackle “holiday hunger” means 4,600 healthy lunches are being offered to kids free this summer.

Islington Council is helping out families on lower incomes by offering the lunches throughout the summer to kids who qualify for free school meals – about 750. The Lunch Bunch scheme follows the council’s free school meals initiative for all nursery and primary pupils.

Town hall children’s chief Cllr Joe Caluori said: “Islington has one of the highest levels of childhood deprivation in the country. Holiday hunger has a long-lasting effect on pupils’ progress after they return to school.”

Lunch Bunch is at Cornwallis and Lumpy Hill playgrounds, Prior Weston School and Islington Central Library. Call 020 7527 5959 or book at islingtonlunchbunch.eventbrite.com.