The United Kingdom government has extended its food voucher scheme for vulnerable school children following a campaign led by Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.

England international Rashford wrote a letter to members of the House of Commons on Monday imploring them not to stop free school meals for disadvantaged children when term finishes. 

Vouchers were given out over the Easter holiday because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the scheme normally only runs during term time and so was due to end next month.

However, Rashford's campaign to force the government to rethink its approach received widespread support on social media and has now resulted in Downing Street making a U-turn.

"Owing to the coronavirus pandemic the prime minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer," a spokesperson for prime minister Boris Johnson said.

"To reflect this we will be providing a COVID summer food fund, this will provide food vouchers over the six-week summer holiday period.

"This is a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances of the pandemic. The scheme will not continue beyond the summer."

Rashford reacted to the news on Twitter, saying: "I don't even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020."

The scheme, which will require £120million in additional funding, is thought to benefit around 15 per cent of state school pupils.

Rashford, who has also helped charity FareShare reach a goal of supplying three million meals by the end of June, had spoken about his own reliance on free school meals and food banks growing up.

The 22-year-old had continued to push for change despite Downing Street initially reiterating that the scheme would end when schools closed for the holidays.

The prime minister's spokesperson added: "The prime minister welcomes Marcus Rashford's contribution to the debate around poverty, and respects the fact that he has been using his profile as a sportsman to highlight important issues."

Labour leader Keir Starmer and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among those to back Rashford's campaign on Monday.

Writing after the government reversed its decision, Starmer wrote on Twitter: "This is another welcome U-turn from Boris Johnson.

"The thought of 1.3million children going hungry this summer was unimaginable.

"Well done to @MarcusRashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue #HolidaysWithoutHunger".