INVERCLYDE'S hugely successful summer holiday hubs are set to be expanded to include more families and help the community recover from Covid.

Council leader Stephen McCabe says he is asking education chiefs to look at ways to increase the existing programme across the district this summer.

The free family sessions were originally introduced as part of the national attainment challenge fund, with a range of activities, services and support put in place.

Now it is hoped they can be widened, as concern grows about the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing among young people.

Councillor McCabe said: "I think when we come through this we will realise that our young people have suffered the most - and it will undoubtedly be the most disadvantaged who have been worst affected.

"We need to find ways to combat this.

"I will be asking our officers to look at ways to expand the hubs and include more families - we need to build on what we have and open them up to even more young people.

"It is very much about supporting mental health - this is not going to be a normal summer, and we need to look at ways to help our young people with their wellbeing and learning."

The hubs were initially introduced as part of the attainment challenge to help families budget over the school break.

They offered a whole host of with activities with a free lunch provided as well.

The playschemes - run at venues such as The Beacon, Branchton Community Centre and Broomhill Hub - provided youngsters with chance to try out sports, games, arts and crafts.

There were also free activities laid on in all local libraries.

Mr McCabe said: "Pre-pandemic we had the programme of playschemes and they made a big difference.

"We will look at funding and of course also what restrictions are in place.

"But I feel we do need to provide targeted support.

"We need to find ways to give children something to do, get them off their iPads, get them a mixture of education and engage with them."