Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are going without meals during school holidays and return to classes in a worsened mental and physical condition.

And food banks have reported demand for their help tends to grow once the holidays arrive.

Now MP Frank Field is heading up an inquiry into the extent of hunger among pupils during holidays, as well as the impact it has on their life chances.

The Birkenhead MP, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on hunger, said they are aware of an alarming situation witnessed across the country.

Some children who usually receive free meals during term time are arriving back at school in a worse mental and physical condition having gone several days without a proper meal during the holidays.

The group will gather evidence over the next six weeks to try to gain a deeper understanding of the scale of the problem.

The want to establish the impact it has on children’s mental, physical and academic development as well as proposals for responding most effectively to it.

Mr Field said: "Holidays for most children are a time to look forward to family outings and adventures with their mates.

"Clearly for some children, though, the overriding priority during the school holidays is to find out where their next meal is coming from, or how they will be able to afford more than a fizzy drink and a packet of sweets each day.

"In some parts of the country schools and volunteers have already leapt to the defence of those children, by providing free meals and fun activities throughout the holidays.

"We are now on the lookout for national solutions that can be driven by local communities – with support from the Government, businesses and charities – to ensure no child goes hungry in the holidays."

The "Feeding Birkenhead" group is running a full programme of "food and fun" events throughout the current half-term holidays.

For details click here.