A SUPERMARKET has been giving away free fruit and vegetables in a joint drive with health experts to cut the chances of people suffering strokes.

Shoppers at Asda, Hartlepool, have been urged to swap fat fatty foods for fruit and vegetables.

Angela Javed, stroke service project manager for Hartlepool Primary Care Trust (PCT), was joined by Susan Orley, of the Stroke Association, in the supermarket entrance this week to promote the benefits of healthy eating.

Hundreds of shoppers were offered free fruit and vegetables provided by the supermarket and given advice on the importance of diet in avoiding strokes.

Strokes are the third biggest killer after cancer and heart disease and affect 130,000 people a year - 270 in Hartlepool. They can strike without warning at any time from childhood to old age.

"They cause patients physical, psychological, emotional and financial problems and impact on their families too," said Mrs Javed.

"Having a healthy diet and avoiding fats and salt prevents furring of the arteries and cuts the chance of having a stroke by as much as two-thirds.

"It's an acute medical emergency in the same way as a heart attack - it should really be called a brain attack - and you can live for 20 to 30 years with the effects."

The PCT is working with the town's schools to get over the healthy eating message.