MORE than 24,000 primary schoolchildren in North Yorkshire are to be given free fruit at school.
Every child aged from four to six will get a free piece of fruit each school day as part of a drive to promote healthy eating and tackle obesity.
The scheme was officially launched at Derwent Infants School, in York, where 149 children were handed a banana as their first piece of free fruit.
Other fruit on the menu in future will include apples and easy peel citrus fruit together with Yorkshire-grown organic carrots from Low House Farm, Aldborough, near Boroughbridge.
In total, 356 North Yorkshire primary schools are taking part in the scheme, which has been rolled out across the country over the last 18 months.
Carolyn Jackson, the county's area co-ordinator, said the scheme was proving popular with the children
"The free fruit and vegetable scheme is a great success.
"The number of schools participating is tremendous, with 96 per cent of schools in North Yorkshire having signed up.
"We have had positive feedback from both children and parents alike in the pilot projects. The scheme will now benefit children throughout the region."
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