Surrey County Council says it is working on a 'long-term plan' to help provide poorer children with food during school holidays.

It is estimated that up to 17,000 children in Surrey entitled to free school meals may be relying on food banks and donations from businesses this half-term break.

More than 630 people have shown they want the council to provide food vouchers throughout the Christmas and Easter holidays by signing a petition.

Surrey County Councillor Julie Iles, cabinet member for all-age learning, says the authority is relying on food banks to support people in need, aided partly by some of the £788,015 funding the council was given by the government in June, its share of £63 million for local authorities to support people in hardship.

Surrey's Local Resilience Forum (LRF) is "working with districts and boroughs across Surrey to ensure that food is either available at food banks or through other local arrangements," said Cllr Iles.

"The LRF's Covid strategic coordination group met [Monday] afternoon to discuss with Surrey partners how together we can meet the pressing requirement to provide up to 17,000 meals per day for children this week. Some schools have already made provision.

"There will be a long term plan to cover future school holidays as the pandemic continues," she said.

The £788K grant went mainly on the Surrey Crisis Fund, which supports people generally experiencing hardship to buy food and toiletries and pay for utilities, as well as white goods and beds for children.

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "Our message during these hard times is clear: if you are struggling or feel that you are unable to make ends meet, Surrey councils are here and continuing to support you and your communities through these unprecedented times.

"We have a dedicated helpline that residents who are struggling and in need of support can call on 0300 200 1008 and someone will be able to get them the help they need."