Marcus Rashford’s petition to extend free school meals over the holidays has been signed by over 1,700- people in Watford – while it passes the million mark nationally.

The United star’s campaign for the Government to U-turn their vote against extending the free school meals scheme until Easter 2021 has seen a massive support throughout the UK.

The motion was defeated by 261 votes to 322, with Conservative MP Dean Russell being one of those who voted against it.

Hertfordshire County Council were then under pressure from opposition councillors in the Liberal Democrat and Labour groups to “follow the lead” of other councils to provide meals for eligible schoolchildren.

But the county council appeared to have dismissed calls for them to step in.

Rashford’s petition called that regardless of the decision, the Government should support vulnerable children by implementing three recommendations from the National Food Strategy to expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals and activities during the holidays, and increase the value of and expand the Health Start scheme.

The petition map shows 1,726 people in Watford backed the campaign, which made up 1.413 per cent of the 122,153 constituents.

In Hertsmere 1,463 people backed the petition, and around 1.852 per cent of constituents in South West Hertfordshire backed the petition, with 2,041 people.

The scheme would cost about £20 million pert week and an estimated £260 million a year if it were to be applied to all 13 weeks of school holidays.

And if the scheme were to continue, it would mean an additional 1.5 million children aged seven to 16 would be provided meals.

According to the website breakdown, the area which signed the petition the most is Manchester, with Bristol following shortly after.

On the petition page, Rashford said the Government has a responsibility to ensure children “don’t pay the price” for the financial difficulties faced during the pandemic.

When the Watford MP tried to back his votes following an uproar from constituents, he said he voted with “good conscience” and suggested it was not the right long-term solution.

A date for the petition to be debated in Parliament has not been announced.

To sign the petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/554276