Police officers pitched in to help a charity providing lunches for underprivileged children this half term.

Community support officers from Essex Police joined Harlow-based non-profit organisation Community Embrace UK to help prepare children's lunches.

The charity will distribute the meals to families that are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Harlow Council recently donated £10,000 to Harlow Foodbank to help feed children who are entitled to free school meals after Tory MPs voted against extending the scheme through the holidays.

The council donated the money to the foodbank using funds saved by not having a public firework display this year, cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Over the weekend PCSO's from Harlow have been working with Community Embrace UK in Harlow by preparing children's lunches for the half term period.

"These will be provided to Families and children throughout the week during these difficult times that we are currently going through."

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