A community kitchen opened its doors to feed families in Thanet wholesome free dinners for the first time last night.

Greeted by a fiddle player and an Elephant mascot, children and their parents tucked in to a choice of cooked meals and desserts.

A team of six professionals and an army of volunteers served up fresh vegan wraps or a warm beef stew with orange juice ice lollies, frozen yoghurt and cakes for dessert.

The Our Kitchen project have been handed the keys to the Drapers Mill Primary School for the summer to continue feeding families in Thanet three times a week.

Sharon Goodyer, the chef behind the project, said: "The atmosphere was just been perfect and just what everyone needed it was supportive and calm with glorious sunshine.

"I just wanted to have a good news story in Thanet for a change and bring the community together and bring back family life.

"Food should not be about money but about enjoyment and community so I took the money of the equation."

Mrs Goodyer, who was one of the bakers behind the Skoda cake advert, also creates healthy affordable microwave meals for residents.

She said: "I'm 67 with Parkinson's so I don't know how much longer I will be around.

"I just want to provide people with healthy and affordable food.

"If people eat right it makes their lives so much better."

Guests were greated at the school's entrance with drink and welcomed into the canteen by fiddle player Graham Knibbs.

Zoe Chambers, from Cliftonville enjoyed the refreshments with her daughter Evey, 3, and Ronnie, 7.

She said: "Sometimes we struggle at home, being on benefits and things like that, so it's nice that we've been invited to come along and enjoy some free food.

"Usually we would have beans on toast, jacket potatoes all the time so it's nice to be able to have a good wholesome meal.

"This is where my son goes to school so it was also nice to eat where he eats the majority of his meals."

Community group Your Leisure has provided banners and leaflets and their Get Out Get Active group are set to provide activities such as arts and crafts.

There was a hairdresser around taking in bookings for free hair cuts for those who fancied a trim.

These treats will be available every monday, wednesday and friday evening free of charge but donations are welcome to ensure those who can't afford to pay can continue to enjoy a warm meal.

While the start up funds for Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet have been provided by county councillor Barry Lewis (Lab).

Cllr Lewis said: "During the summer holidays there are kitchens, playgrounds and halls empty in schools while there are children who don't have anywhere to go so I had the idea to open them up.

"While the idea was mine, Sharon Goodyer and her team at Our Kitchen have put it into practice with money from my KCC community grant.

"They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, but in Thanet we will now have a free dinner."

He added he wanted to get rid of the stigma of soup kitchens so he hopes this will be "more like a summer camp".

Cllr Lewis said: "This is better than what you would get at a restaurant because you can choose how much you want to pay for it whether it's 50p or £50 or even for free.

"Also if you wanted a particular meal just tell us and we can try to cook it next time for you."

To find out more call 01843 223989 or visit the Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet facebook page for recipes and tips: https://www.facebook.com/OurKitchenThanet/