MARKET Cafe owner Ollie Chadwick has thanked Knutsford people for the 'massive outpouring' of support for his half-term hot meals initiative for local children.

New parents Ollie and Steph Chadwick decided to offer their children's £2 menu over the half term to help feed primary school children, and invited anyone who would like to make a donation to message them or to come into the café.

The decision to help feed schoolchildren in need over half-term follows a campaign spearheaded by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals for children, and Wednesday night's defeat by 322 MPs to 261 for a Labour-led bid to extend the meals.

Ollie is a United fan, and he has been overwhelmed by support after posting his meals idea on social media.

There has been a flood of donations from local people, and Ollie will be able to offer at least 200 meals for free next week.

He is set to offer the meals from Tuesday, and people who have pre-ordered the meals are asked to collect them from the Market Cafe from Knutsford Market Hall before midday if possible.

Knutsford Guardian:

Ollie and Steph had their first child, Lily Maria, on Tuesday.

Ollie said: "We thought we would try and help out in any way we could.

"We have just had a baby on Tuesday, and the thought of having to choose between heating your house and feeding your child is heartbreaking, so as a couple decided if we could help we would.

"We have had such a massive response to it we are considering helping after the half term as well, because obviously the problems don’t stop.

"The response shows people care, and it has become a lot bigger than I thought it would be; there has been a massive outpouring from the community."