North Ayrshire Council has agreed to pay off outstanding debt for school meals in a one-off move to help support families through the current cost-of-living crisis.
The move, agreed by a meeting of elected members, means the council will meet the costs, allowing parents to start the new school year with a clean slate.
Debt for school meals in primary schools across North Ayrshire is currently around £80,000 while the figure for secondary schools is currently around £14,000.