A parliamentary vote this week over extending free school meals for children from lower income families has sparked a huge backlash on social media, as well as a fantastic community response from local businesses.

Many eateries and shops in Kenilworth have already announced that they will be offering free meals for families in need this half term.

The parliamentary vote this week came after Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford, and many others had been pushing for free school meals for children during half term and beyond.

The labour-led proposal would have given eligible children a £15 a week food voucher even during the holidays, but was defeated by 322 votes to 261 - with a majority of 61.

Only five Conservatives rebelled against the Government to vote for feeding more than 1.4 million children during school breaks; MP for Kenilworth and Southam Jeremy Wright was not among them.

However, many Kenilworth businesses have already responded, in time for the half term holiday which starts tomorrow (October 26).

The Virgins and Castle Pub, on the Old High Street announced on Friday through its social media channels that "in support of Mr Rashford we will be offering free school pack lunches to children over the half-term.

"Simply email or call the pub in Kenilworth and collect Monday - Friday 11:00am - 2:00pm."

Their post on Twitter has already been retweeted by Marcus Rashford's official account.

The V&C's has also been joined by Deli on the Hill, Castle Hill, who have said that all children will eat free this half term, as they announce their new children's menu.

St John's Budgens have said "Parents and carers, if you're struggling next week to provide your children with a lunchtime meal, please visit St John's Budgens, who will provide a free nutritious lunchtime meal for each child."

Whitemoor Road Fish and Chips are also joining the effort by offering free meals for under 16's 12:00pm to 2:00pm starting tomorrow.

Time for Tea also published on their Instagram account that "we are offering free packed lunches to children who need them throughout the half term."

The leader of Warwickshire County Council Cllr Izzi Seccombe appeared on BBC Radio 4 yesterday and said "we've made the decision to increase our welfare scheme and to cover not only the next week of half term but over the Christmas period and as long as this Covid crisis is with us.

"So we won't have children going hungry in Warwickshire."

An online map has also been created where local people can see which local businesses are offering free meals. It can be accessed via this link, although no Kenilworth businesses are yet to be registered on there.

If your business is offering free meals to children this half term, please email our editor James Smith at [email protected] and we will add you to the list.