PARENTS of children in Neath Port Talbot entitled to free school meals will be issued money instead of the 'grab and go' bag system.

The amount payable to qualifying parents will be £19.50 per week for each eligible pupil and will continue for the foreseeable future, including payment over the Easter period. This does not include nursery pupils.

In order to receive payment, parents will need to register online at www.npt.gov.uk/fsmpayments providing their bank account details (bank account number, sort code and account name) and the child’s / children’s legal name and date of birth. If you are unable to register online, please call 01639 686868.

The payment will be paid directly into the bank account of the parent. The council said it is unable to make payments into post office or credit union accounts, and payments cannot be made to a third party.

A council spokesman said: "The required information needs to be returned by Wednesday 8th April; payments will then commence on Tuesday 14th April and weekly thereafter every Monday from the 20th April. If you are unable to submit by the 8th April, submission of information must be made by the following Wednesday in order to action payment on the following Monday. Payment will be backdated to Monday 6th April.

"Parents are being urged to register their details as quickly as possible for the council to be able to process the payment."

Should you have any queries you are asked to email fsm@npt.gov.uk.