A record number of free summer activities and lunches were provided for families across West Dunbartonshire this year.

The council invested £100,000 to ensure that children and young people had a range of free events to participate in during the holiday period.

The programme, which allowed groups to bid for funding to host events, offered 13,000 places, including those for children with additional support needs, and supplied more than 16,000 lunches and snacks.

Digital Bellsmyre used the funding to run virtual reality and gaming sessions attended by 240 young people, while 65 youngsters received training at the Vale of Leven Football Academy.

The Cutty Sark Centre held activities for more than 600 participants, and Haldane Youth Services organised 48 local events, including breakfast clubs, family lunch clubs, barbecues, and fun activity sessions, attracting well over 1,000 participants.

Rock Community Church's Olympic-themed family sessions at the Phoenix Centre welcomed 600 children and their families, and Flourishing Faifley provided 14 nature and craft sessions for families, attracting more than 1,700 attendees.

Strathclyde Autistic Society provided activities and trips for 600 children and young people with autism and their families.

West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare supported the programme by providing 700 families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis with brunch bags that covered breakfast and lunch for a week.

The council received very positive feedback from parents and carers of children who attended the summer programme.

Laura Mason, chief education officer, said: "A huge amount of work goes into organising the programme, and I would like to thank everyone involved in offering an extensive range of engaging activities at no cost to parents.

"It is particularly pleasing to hear the feedback from children and young people and their families who attended this year’s events and how valuable they find the programme.

"This has been our most popular programme yet, with places for 13,000 children and 16,000 lunches and snacks, which support our families who need it most.

"I would like to thank all the organisations who worked in partnership with the council in offering fun and engaging programmes and meals over the holidays."