County Durham families are set to benefit from a scheme which will see thousands of children automatically enrolled for free school meals.

The pilot project, run by Durham County Council, saw nearly 2,500 children sign up for free school meals after a data-matching exercise.

This initiative will save 1,727 households an average of £400 per child per year on food costs.

The scheme will also benefit schools in County Durham by making them eligible for the government’s pupil premium grant.

This means they will receive extra funding for each child registered for free school meals.

The council’s auto-enrolment project will provide an additional £3 million of funding next year, which can be used for extra classroom support.

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Councillor Alan Shield, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be pioneering this scheme which maximises benefits for pupils, their families, and our schools.

"The auto-enrolment scheme ensures we can reach as many families as possible to offer them free school meals.

"Families can save money on food costs at a time when the cost of living is high, and their children are benefitting from nutritious meals while in school.

"These families are also eligible for further help with things like holiday clubs and financial support from the government, which we can identify through the free school meals scheme.

"It also gives a big funding boost to schools, which can use the extra funding they will receive through the pupil premium to support families and children who need it most."

Joanne Bromley, headteacher of King Street Primary School in Spennymoor, said: "For many reasons, eligible families have often missed out on the opportunity to have free school meals and this scheme will ensure that all eligible children access a healthy, nutritious lunch.

"This supports children's learning and wellbeing.

"However, it also benefits the child by offering the opportunity to try many new foods alongside their peers, while also supporting parents during the current cost of living crisis."