A KIND Wilmslow cafe owner is offering free sandwiches over half term for families who would usually receive a free school meal.

Jo's Place, at the Wilmslow rail station car park, is stepping up for struggling families after a vote to extend the free school meals scheme in next week's break was turned down by MPs on Wednesday.

In a post on the cafe's Facebook page, owner Jo Spencer said: "I'd like to reach out to any parents/carers out there in the surrounding area of our business with children on half term next week that are going to struggle without the free school meal scheme, please bring your children to the shop and we will provide a free breakfast or lunch sandwich.

"If it's breakfast or dinner then please do not hesitate to call in on us. This is available with complete discretion so just quietly mention you've come for a school meal and we'll provide everything that we can. You don't need to buy anything yourselves, let us help you if your family is in need next week.

"We do not stand [by] the 322 MPs that voted against extending the free school meals scheme, we stand for a fair life in these terribly difficult times and no child should go hungry."

Jo's post was copied to Twitter and shared by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford MBE, from Wythenshawe, who has spearheaded the campaign to extend free school meals for children.

After a Labour-led bid to extend free school meals was defeated by 322 MPs to 261 on Wednesday night, he wrote on Twitter: "Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let's focus on the reality.

"A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have made today. We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers.

"Our views are being clouded by political affiliation. This is not politics, this is humanity."

Is your business supporting children struggling for food over half term? Email stephen.topping@nqnw.co.uk