VULNERABLE households across Worcestershire will be able to access help making ends meet.

The county has been awarded £3.9million from the government's Household Support Fund.

This will help families meet daily needs such as food, heating and clothes.

The Household Support Fund is part of the government's ongoing coronavirus pandemic recovery effort.

It will be distributed by councils across the country, allowing them to award the money based on local need and through small grants for essentials.

The cash has now been made available to local authorities from the start of October.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: “We can confirm we have received a funding allocation from the Government’s Household Support Fund of £3.9m which cover the Winter through to March 2022.

"We are currently working in partnership with our district councils, to develop a package of support for those most in need, bolstering that already in place to help vulnerable households and individuals.

"This will help them to meet the cost of food and other essentials over the coming months as the country continues its recovery from the pandemic."

As part of the plans, schools will be provided with extra funding so they can continue to provide extra support to families through the provision of food or vouchers.

This will be targeted at children eligible for free school meals.

Further information on the other forms of available support and how to access this will be shared by the council once confirmed.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: "Everyone should be able to afford the essentials, and we are committed to ensuring that is the case.

"Our new Household Support Fund will provide a lifeline for those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter, adding to the support the government is already providing to help people with the cost of living."

This new fund will run over winter and those in need of support should contact their local council who will help them access the fund.

The government has so far not issued instructions on how to access the funding, so Worcestershire families in need are still in the dark over how to access funding.