PREPERATIONS are continuing for this year's Urban Outreach summer lunches appeal which starts later this month.

Bosses of the charity — as well as schools, businesses and other well wishers from around the borough — are collecting donations in advance of the scheme, which runs from July 25 to September 2.

Among those taking part are staff at Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking, based in Deansgate, Bolton town centre.

They have been asking their customers and colleagues to donate items of food which can be donated to the appeal.

Staff have also been donating to the food bank which the charity also runs and cans of beans, pasta and essentials have been handed over.

The firm now has a number of boxes stuffed with donations, and also plans to hand over £250 to Urban Outreach to assist with its work.

They will hand over the items and donations to Urban Outreach next week.

Debbie Worthington, relationship director, said: "We have been going out to our customers and asking people to donate. We have also been working with Blackrod Primary School as well. We are trying to work within the community to support such worthy projects."

First launched in 2014, Urban Outreach's Bolton Lunches appeal is now in its third year and is set to help 1,300 children this year.

It is designed to help families who are struggling to make ends meet over the holidays, from July 25 to September 2.

The lunches will be assembled by a group of volunteers every week day at about 7am, before being sent to community centres, churches and community venues where they will be given out.

The lunch packs will be targeted to the areas the charity thinks will benefit most, where there are high numbers of children on free school meals during term time.

This year they will feature added variety, with a choice of chicken, ham, tuna mayonnaise and cheese sandwich, a pack of cheese biscuits or crisps, a cereal bar, a carton of apple or orange juice and a selection of fruit.

In total, the scheme will cost about £40,000, which has been funded through donations made by organisations throughout the year.