DOZENS of activity camps will take place in Wiltshire this summer – after a provider went out of business, putting a council scheme at risk.

Wiltshire Council has confirmed the summer FUEL programme will operate, depite previous provider – Learn By Design – ceasing trading.

Learn By Design informed the council of the change in May, with the council promptly requesting other providers to get in touch in a bid to save events and activities for young people this summer.

Now, it has announced 16 organisations will be running the summer programme, providing 26 activity camps throughout the county from the end of this month (July).

The camps will include a range of activities and nutritious meals for children from eligible families.

FUEL (Food Unity, Energy, Laughter) is a county-wide programme funded by the Department for Education to help young people who are eligible for benefits related free school meals have free access to activities and healthy food during the school holidays.

The FUEL programme in Wiltshire has provided thousands of children with activities and nutritious meals during school holidays.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health, said: “Although we were hopeful that some organisations would step up to run this programme, we are absolutely delighted with the response we have received.

“Everyone involved with this programme knows just how it important it is to the families who use it, and we’re looking forward to working with new partners to put on a range of fun activities over the summer holiday throughout the county.”

And Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services, added: “This programme provides such valuable support to families and I’d like to thank all involved for working so hard to ensure it can take place this summer.

“I’ve been lucky to attend some sessions and they’re always fun and full of energy. So even though some of the sessions might be a little different than before, I know the children will have a great time.”

Discussions about the format of future programmes will be discussed in due course, the council said.

For more information, including how to book places, locations, dates, times and who is running the sessions, can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/FUEL-programme.