Thousands of families across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire have received support in recent days from their local councils.

Since Wednesday last week, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council have issued 64,572 supermarket vouchers to families (20,102 in Cambridgeshire and 12,184 in Peterborough).

It follows government funding of £743,662 from the Winter Grant scheme to be spent supporting families so they do not go hungry or cold.

The money was promised due to the successful Marcus Rashford campaign, with priority going to families who have children who are:

. Eligible for free school meals

. Eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

. In receipt of the Early Years Pupil Premium

. Accessing free education and childcare for two-year-olds.

They are receiving food vouchers worth £15 per week over the two week Christmas break and for the one week February half term which can be used in a number of supermarkets.

Moreover, the councils have received more than 3,200 individual applications for additional support from families, with requests for support including: food, energy bills, clothing, blankets, shoes and white goods.

All of the families are expected to have received a phone call to capture more details by the end of Tuesday, with the vast majority having already been contacted.