A STUDY of children's eating habits in the North-East has shown the number of children eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has risen by 17 per cent.

A report by the Department of Health said the number of youngsters achieving the target had jumped from 27 per cent in March, 2004, to 44 per cent in November, 2006.

And the study reveals that the number of portions consumed in the region has also increased to a point where, on average, 50 per cent of children are close to achieving their 'five-a-day' target.

The results follow the introduction of Government's School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) and comes days before youngsters across the region are about to start a new school year.

The Government said the survey, carried out among 37 schools in the North-East, is proof the scheme is working and can contribute to a reduction in heart disease, stroke and cancer later in life.

It appears the most significant factor in the increase in fruit and vegetable consumption between November 2004 and November 2006 are improvements to school meals.

Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw said: "Children eating more fruit and vegetables each day and reaching their five-a-day is excellent news.

"The SFVS is important in underpinning the Government's commitment to healthy eating in schools. It provides an opportunity for children to try out new foods, particularly vegetables, and for them to become accustomed to eating them as part of their daily diet."

And the survey showed that children eating school meals are more likely to achieve their five-a-day than those taking packed lunches.

Beverly Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and Families, said: ""I'm pleased to see that school meals are having an impact on diet and new tougher regulations coming in this week will mean that young people can no longer buy fizzy drinks, chocolate bars and crisps in tuck shops or vending machines in schools. Junk food is now off the menu throughout the school day."

But Joe Harvey, director of the Health Education Trust, said there was still much to do, including tougher regulations on advertising and increased entitlement to free school meals.

He said: "We all know good food costs more and if parents just above the poverty line find themselves squeezed, they will supply packed lunches, instead of nutritionally balanced school meals."