A WINSFORD pub is offering school children free meals throughout the Christmas holidays to give back to the community as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes more families than ever.

Until Friday, December 30, any child of school age can get a free meal at The Old Star Pub on Swanlow Lane.

There is no need to book in advance and people can call in at any time.

Licensee and owner, Ernie Welch, said: “So far, it’s been brilliant. We’ve done 140 up to now this week, and we’re going to do it right through the Christmas holidays because people are really watching the pennies.

“We’ve had donations of food from all sorts of people, which has been a great help, and money from Cllr Malcolm Gaskill and his daughter Ailsa. I’d like to say a big thank you to all of them.

Northwich Guardian: Ernie says community is at the heart of everything the Old Star does (Ernie Welch)Ernie says community is at the heart of everything the Old Star does (Ernie Welch) (Image: Ernie Welch)

“We’ve had some free tickets to Cheshire Zoo to give out too, so families have had a great package.

“We fed more than 560 when we did this in the summer holidays.”

Ernie, who is an independent Winsford town councillor for Dene ward, says that community is at the heart of everything the Old Star does.

“I’ve listened, and I know how much families are on the breadline, and I would image a lot of them have spent beyond their means in the run up to Christmas.

“We’ve got a tough few months ahead, and I think things are going to get really tricky for a lot of people.”