CHILD poverty is being tackled across East Lancashire with the help of the Church Urban Fund.

More than 17,000 lunchboxes were handed out across Blackburn with Darwen through their food scheme in 2017 and this year the charity is working with children's centres and offering support.

A charity spokesman said: "We are looking for volunteers to read to children, to help keep them school ready in September.

"We know that structured activities really help during the summer – it's not just about making ends meet, it's also about meeting friends who you might usually just see at the school gate."

Churches and community groups in Burnley are also working to make sure there is access to food and acitivites during the summer holidays.

The charity is working with them to provide holiday and book clubs to help support youngsters.

The charity's patron, the Most Rev Rt Hon Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: "In communities that have not shared in economic growth, initiatives like job clubs, holiday schemes, debt advice and community cafes can be the difference between hope and despair.

"It is so important that there are encourager's, networkers, innovators and those with knowledge and experience to pass on, working to connect, equip and mobilise this vast team of committed people in towns, cities and villages across the country."