CHILDREN across the district will be offered access to free art materials to keep them occupied during the lockdown.

It forms part of a new initiative launched by the Royal Opera House Bridge and Arts Council England to encourage youngsters to get creative while being off from school.

Items such as crayons, paint brushes, sketchbooks and glue sticks are being distributed by community groups and schools to families finding it difficult to access learning materials.

Braintree Museum and the Warner Textile Archive have both contributed to the programme and are offering a range of activities relating to Braintree's history.

They are also sharing educational resources.

Braintree Council's communities boss Frankie Ricci said: "It is great that children in the district will benefit from free creative materials during this time, it will be a real benefit to some families.

"It is excellent to see Braintree Museum and the Warner Textile Archive contributing to this initiative so children can learn about local history.

"We are proud to support the local cultural education partnership financially to ensure children and young people can access the mental health benefits of the creative arts."

One of the schools taking part in the initiative is John Bunyan Primary School and Nursery.

Headteacher Deborah Bailey said: "Our work with The Royal Opera House over several years, has always provided special, memorable opportunities for our children.

"In these unprecedented times we are delighted that they are supporting us in providing packs of art materials for our families which will enable our children to have access to resources at home which they love using in school.

"We know that they will be very excited to create and express their feelings and emotions through their artwork and we look forward to sharing and celebrating their ideas together when we return to school."