A cross county council collaboration with a community organisation that runs workshops for children will deliver another jam-packed holiday activities programme for children across the Cotswolds.

Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and World Jungle have teamed up to offer the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) to eligible children across the district this spring.

The initiative, funded by the department for education, offers free activities during the school holidays.

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Providing a variety of opportunities for youngsters to connect, learn and develop abilities, the programme's roster includes sports, craft sessions, forest school, circus skills, cookery classes and trips to Westonbirt and even the Water Park.

The HAF will run from Monday, March 25 to Friday, April 5 and targets children from reception classes up to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals.

Additional funding enables the team to also offer the Holiday Activity Programme (HAP) for all children aged four to 16, regardless of their free school meal eligibility.

Cllr Claire Bloomer, cabinet member for cost of living and inclusion, said: "It’s so important that children and families are supported through our district and I'm really pleased we’re able to provide another Holiday Activity and Food Programme, in partnership with World Jungle and the County Council."

She added: "These activities will provide much-needed enrichment for children during the spring school holiday, and they will also be provided with nutritious meals which are so beneficial to their health and wellbeing."

Additional support is provided by Community Connectors, Bloodhound Education, who assist with bookings, arrange transportation to activities, and refer families to other relevant services.

For more information, parents of potential attendees are advised to visit https://gloucestershirehaf.com/cotswold-district-haf/ and https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf/.

The activity booking system will officially open to all on Monday, March 11 at 12pm.