PAYMENTS that have provided 3,500 children with food during the coronavirus lockdown are set to end as schools reopen.

Denbighshire County Council said its free school meal payments that covered meal costs while schools were shut during the coronavirus pandemic will stop after the second week of term. The Welsh Government scheme provided 1,900 eligible families in the county with payments of £3.90-per-day during term-time and over the summer.

Local authorities were given the option of providing payments, vouchers or delivering food items according to their needs.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said the payment system will be in place until Friday, September 11. Those receiving the payment will be required to use the funds to pay for their child’s meal while at school until that date.

"During school closures the council has been providing direct payments to those eligible for free school meals with money provided to parents or guardians instead of a school meal," the spokesperson said.

"The last direct payments are being made on Monday, September 14, for the week of September 7-11, after which children eligible for free school meals will receive them in school free of charge."