A takeaway in Swaythling has barred MP Caroline Nokes from entering its premises and using their service in a bid to show their discontent over the Government’s refusal to extend free school meals.

Masala Madness on Burgess Road says the message for the Romsey and Southampton North MP is simple: “If you’re going to say no to our children, we will say no to you.”

Manager Shere M Sattar said: “We thought [the Government’s vote] was terrible, it’s unacceptable. Children should not go hungry in any way.

“If she comes she won’t be welcome. She probably won’t [come] but it doesn’t matter. We want to send a message to her and the other MPs who said no to feed the children during the holidays.”

Making the situation worse, Mr Sattal said, is the MP’s decision to defend the way she voted.

This week, the Indian takeaway has been offering free food for children. Mr Sattar reckons the staff must have served around 300 meals after being inundated with emails from families in need.

They will now discuss the possibility of extending the offer until Christmas. He said: “Where I live a lot of children get free school meals so when they’re at home they struggle, especially at this time when people are losing their jobs and money.”

Responding to the takeaway’s action, the MP stood by her vote. Ms Nokes said: “I am sorry that anyone feels my view, as explained to every constituent who has contacted me, that there should be a permanent uplift in benefits rather than families being given a voucher, is anything other than a pragmatic solution to the issue.

“Anyone who dealt with the vouchers over the summer knows they were a bureaucratic way to address the situation - this could and should have been tackled via the benefits system.

“The Labour motion last week had no legislative intent and would not have delivered a single meal to a single family in time for half term which started 48 hours later. However, we have seen great work locally, including by borough council funding programmes like the community kitchen in Romsey School, which has provided food and help with cooking skills to families in need this half term. Timely and practical assistance is far more effective than empty words.”