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Parents of children aged four to five are being encouraged to apply for the Scottish Government’s Best Start Grant.

A one-off £250 payment is currently open to eligible families, with a child who was born between March 1 2015 and February 29 2016, who will be starting primary school later this year.

The School Age Payment can be used for anything from a new pair of school shoes or arts and crafts materials for children.

The payment is part of the SNP Government’s Best Start Grant, a package of three payments for families in receipt of eligible benefits – including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit – to help at key stages in a child’s life.

Keith Brown, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: “Covering the costs of a child starting school can be tough on family finances, especially in the current climate.

“The SNP Government’s school age payment offers low income families, or those who receive support like Universal Credit, a £250 payment around the time children start at primary school.

“We’re absolutely determined that every child, regardless of circumstances, gets the best start in life. So in these unprecedented and difficult times, I’d encourage families across Clackmannanshire and Stirling to check what other financial support they may be eligible for too – such as school clothing grants or free school meals.”

Visit mygov.scot or call 0800 182 2222 to apply.