The owner of a wine bar handing out free packed lunches to children unable to attend school because of teacher strikes has been inundated with donations.

Sanjay Raval, who runs the City Wall in Rochester, dished out about 80 meals on the house today – and he's got so much left over he's inviting more needy families with schoolchildren to pop along and grab a bite.

The bar owner said: "The response has been amazing. It's been very gratefully received by families."

Mr Raval will be repeating the gesture tomorrow between 12 noon and 3pm on the second day of industrial action.

He added: "We would like to support the families who are having to take time of work due to the teacher strikes and take the pressure off having to provide extra meals outside of their current budget.

"We know first-hand that some local families rely on schools to provide that main meal, if the school is closed and not able to provide a lunch we can take the pressure off families.

"With some free exercise into Rochester High Street – lunch for the kids is on us."

The goodwill gesture is being laid on with help from Gillingham Street Angels, a charity which helps needy and vulnerable people across Medway.

It's also in conjunction with CWP (Central Wholesale Produce), discount food suppliers which has a warehouse in Laker Road, near Rochester Airport and F.E.A.ST (Families Eating and Sharing Together) based in Tonbridge.

Explaining the rationale behind the project, Mr Raval added: "It was an amazing idea from a member of my team, Roxanne Goode.

"I was more than happy to support and work alongside several local businesses and charities to put this together.

"We hope that it goes a little way in supporting local families at this challenging time."