FAMILIES in the Forest are being offered “four days of free festive fun” during the Christmas holidays.

Gloucestershire County Council is bringing back its Holiday Activities and Food Programme for those in receipt of free school meals from December 19 to 22, thanks to funding from the Department for Education.

And offers of “fun, enriching holiday activities” are being extended to all children and young people in the county through the council’s grant-funded Holiday Activities Programme.

The activities will include Christmas parties, drama and science workshops, various sports and games, art and crafts and “ever popular” ticketed attractions.

Families are encouraged to register now to make sure their account is ready for when activity booking opens on Thursday, December 1.

Those eligible for free school meals can also apply for Holiday Free School Meal vouchers, which the council is providing for two weeks.

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children’s social care, said: “I’m delighted that we can offer families extra support this Christmas to help them to stay healthy and have fun.’’

For more information go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.