CHILDREN and young people across the Isle of Wight will be able to enjoy a variety of free activities during the Easter holidays.

Organisations across the Island are coming together to offer activities for five to 16-year-olds as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) initiative, which also guarantees a nutritious meal.

Free places are available for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals, and on a paid-for basis too. 

Some places are also available for other vulnerable families. 

But, with limited spaces for many of the activities, families should book soon to avoid disappointment.

The Easter programme features a wide range of activities on offer, including horse riding, tennis and football coaching, multi-sport games, animal care, theatre skills and arts and crafts.

Full details, including booking information, can be found on the Isle of Wight Family Information Hub webpage.

Cllr Jonathan Bacon, the Isle of Wight's Cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "We want to enable children and young people to try new things and make new friends. 

"We know it is a welcome support for many families during the school holidays.

"We also know that families are facing — and will continue to face — increasing pressure, and the dedication of organisations to supporting families in this way means such a lot to so many.”

For more information about eligibility, please see the council's newly-updated holiday activities webpages.

The Easter HAF scheme is funded by the Department for Education.