A new project for families in Lowestoft has been successfully launched – and now it is set to be rolled out during the school holidays.

The scheme, entitled FISH – Food In School Holidays – has been unveiled by Lowestoft Community Church and the Salvation Army Church to help to support vulnerable families in the community.

With Carlton Road Salvation Army and Lowestoft Community Church joining forces, the first session of the new project launched in the Whitsun half term – and now this scheme will be rolled out for all in the school holidays.

FISH offers a free cooked meal on Fridays – once a week - for children and their families along with some craft activities and plenty of fun. The aim of the project is to help families out during the holidays when they aren't getting their funded school meals.

Ben Parish, elder at Lowestoft Community Church – which is based at The Depot on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate – said: 'The school holidays can put a lot of financial pressure on families. We've seen lots of statistics about parents skipping meals, children going hungry and families being isolated. We're hoping to relieve some of the burden on the families in our community and we're hoping that everyone will have lots of fun while we're doing it!'

The launch session was hailed as a success with a delicious lasagne followed by ice cream and fruit salad. The children also got the chance to create some of their very own fish. One of the mums attending said: 'It was just so nice to get out and have a change of scenery, the food was delicious and the children loved it!'

Bev Jenkins, of Lowestoft Community Church, added: 'We're so excited to be launching this new project and we're really pleased with how our first session went

'We're looking forward to the summer holidays and hope that we get to serve lots more children and their families.'

For more details about the project, you can book via Lowestoft Community Church's website - www.lowestoftcommunitychurch.co.uk - or by calling the office on 01502 537527.

The project is open to any age children but they must be accompanied by an adult and spaces are limited.