A CLACKS stationery campaign has been hailed a success with 150 kids receiving supplies in time for going back to school.

The Clackmannanshire Labour Party launched the campaign a fortnight ago after statistics were released estimating that 27 per cent of children in the Wee County are living poverty, many of whom are facing dire circumstances.

It was also revealed that more than half of kids in Clacks are entitled to free meals.

The initiative was launched by Grant Aitken, secretary of the party in Clackmannanshire, who said the idea would help Labour regain trust from the public.

In the end, around 150 youngsters in the county received the basics needed for starting back school in a move heralded as a “great success” by activists.

However, for Grant, the scheme also served to underline the scale of poverty in the county.

He said: “The campaign was a success, but it was shocking to see so many families in need of a helping hand.

"This is endemic of a society in which the rich are getting richer whilst the poor are getting poorer.

“There is work to be done and many lessons to be learned from this initiative, but rest assured the local party will strive to work towards a Clackmannanshire where workers are paid fairly and families can not only afford to live but to live comfortably without the fear of their children or loved ones not getting what they need in life.”

Grant continued: “Although this type of campaign does not prevent poverty, it alleviates the symptoms of the political decisions made in Holyrood, Westminster and even locally within in our own council. Children should not bear the brunt of austerity.

“The campaign would not have been successful if it never received the brilliant help from our local activists and the trade unions and societies who decided to fund us in this endeavour.

"So, a massive thanks goes out to the Communication Workers Union, Unite the Union, Unison Scotland and the Campaign for Socialism/Momentum.”