A TALENTED artist has taken to Southend High Street to paint a powerful image of inspiring footballer Marcus Rashford.

Scotty Brave worked his socks off throughout the day yesterday (October 20) to create his very own masterpiece of the star, which you can find next to Warrens Bakery Ltd.

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Scotty Brave

It comes after hundreds of people across south Essex have signed a petition spearheaded by footballer Mr Rashford to tackle child food poverty.

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The Manchester United and England star, who was recently awarded an MBE, kicked off his campaign by saying “we must act with urgency” to make sure no child worries about what they are going to eat.

The petition calls for free school meals to be extended to every child from a household on Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit.

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Marcus Rashford forced the Government into a U-turn over holiday food vouchers during the pandemic earlier this year. 

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Across south Essex, more than 10,000 children were eligible for free schools meals in the last school year, the latest Department for Education figures show. 

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More than 210 people in Southend, 266 in Basildon and 64 in Castle Point have signed the latest petition urging the Government to take action.