A TOWN council is preparing for its successful summer playscheme which has been running for four decades.

At their monthly meeting, Connah's Quay councillors received a report about the arrangements for this year's Quayplay, a scheme which has been in operation for over 40 years.

Following its success last year, members previously decided to increase its budget and expand it to six weeks instead of five.

However, at their monthly meeting, Cllr Ian Dunbar asked what was being done in terms of providing food for those who attend.

He said: "We had a great Quayplay last year for the five weeks, this time we are looking to run it for six weeks. We've got that many people involved in it, we did have a food venue for the youngsters at Central Park over the five weeks but what I'm asking now is that we find out whether Flintshire County Council has arranged anything for the children for the times they are there to cover the six weeks not the five.

"It's going to be well visited, it's going to be well used and I think the children there, because of their circumstances, I think they look forward to the food and the play scheme itself. If you knock the food system off I think it may deter a lot of them going there, so I would just like to make sure that for those six weeks we have something there.

"Irrespective of what it is, for those six weeks we need to make sure we have something because if there's nothing coming from Flintshire County Council, I think this town council ought to have a look at it."

The town council provides free transport to and from the scheme for local children and they intend to provide free transport again this year, in one coach.

Central Park will be the main location this year, with the use of the 1st Connah's Quay Scout Headquarters to host indoor activities.

Last year, the Holiday Hunger programme was launched across the county in a bid to provide children with free meals during the play schemes and reduce the number of children going hungry when they are not in school.

Cllr Eric Faulkner said: "It's a marvellous thing they are doing and is much appreciated by everyone that's involved."

However, Clerk Steven Goodrum informed members that it is currently being looked into but there has been no confirmation as to whether the same scheme will be run again this year.

He added: "We did last year look at the council providing food before the Holiday Hunger programme took off but we can look at a back up option just in case.

"I think the whole point is bringing it to council is to start process earlier and raise the profile, promotion of things is key to get interest."