A HEALTHIER diet and a new name are on the menu at a popular east Durham community cafe.

A competition was staged among Wheatley Hill residents and users of the weekly community centre cafe to give it a new name.

Winner Lyndsey Nesbitt came up with the name Comminicafe, which has won her a basket of fruit.

It is a joint venture between Easington Primary Care Trust and Easington District Council and aims to encourage healthier eating habits.

The cafe will be funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund for two months, after which it is hoped the cafe will become self sufficient.

Lucy Crystal-Smith, a health development specialist for food and health at Easington Primary Care Trust said: "By eating a healthy diet, we can substantially improve our health and reduce risks of heart disease and cancer, as well as increasing mobility, energy and the chance to live a longer life."

While the cafe will still have favourites such as bacon sandwiches and traditional English breakfasts, it will also offer healthy options such as soup, fruit juice, fruit salad and cereal and milk.

If extension plans for the village's community centre go ahead, it is hoped to extend the healthy menu.

Organisers are hoping that by introducing healthy options into the cafe, residents will have improved access to a choice of nutritious food, which will ultimately improve their health.

The cafe is open every Friday, from 9am to noon, in the Wheatley Hill Community Centre.