GROUPS, organisations and individuals planning to deliver summer holiday activities for the under-16s are being invited to apply for funding from Shropshire Council.

The funding, available through the Department for Education holiday activities and food programme, is intended to subsidise free places on new or existing holiday programmes for children and young people who are eligible for free school meals.

In Shropshire, there are more than 5,000 children and young people registered to claim benefit related free school meals.

The holiday activities and food programme, campaigned for by footballer Marcus Rashford, aims to make holiday activities as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Providers will need to offer a programme of enrichment and physical activities, a nutritious meal and food education.

Applications are invited from a wide range of providers of holiday programmes and enrichment activities.