THURROCK Council's portfolio holder for education has spoken of his concern and says he is 'appalled' to hear that mouldy food has been part of sparse food packages handed out to feed local schoolchildren during the latest lockdown.

He has apologised on behalf of the council's catering services.

Pictures have circulated on national social media of the lack of nourishing food in the food parcels bring distributed as part of the government's commitment to sustain children who receive free school meals while they are not in school.

Among them a Thurrock family have posted a picture of mouldy bread they received.

Cabinet member Cllr Andrew Jefferies said: "We need to be clear. Over the Christmas holidays the Council sent £15 of vouchers per week for those eligible for free schools meal paid for out of the government's £536,000 winter support grant.

"Since the school term restarted in January, schools are responsible for providing free school meals at home. Some schools in Thurrock have commissioned Thurrock Catering Services to provide school parcels for eligible children, while they are undertaking online learning during the current lockdown.

"Thurrock Catering Services has worked diligently and quickly, to ensure children receive this food and have provided 600 food parcels last week and this week, on behalf of schools.

"However, I am appalled to hear that food in one of these parcels was spoiled so quickly it was inedible and I offer my sincere apologies to the family concerned. I would urge any families having an issue with the food parcels to contact either their school or the catering service [email protected] directly, so the issue can be remedied immediately."