CHILDREN at a Loftus primary school have been learning about the benefits of healthy eating this week.

The 170 children at St Joseph's RC Primary School had a fun day learning about fruit and vegetables.

Pupils joined with nursery schoolchildren to take part in games, artwork and singing in the Health Action Zone-funded event.

Each child received a certificate and presents, including bookmarks, stickers and toothbrushes, after games including choosing between fruit and sweets and tasting pineapples, mangoes, papayas, bananas, apples and peppers.

Senior dietician Lyndsey Robinson said: "It is important for children to try new tastes and get into healthy eating routines at a young age."

There are plans to extend the activity to other schools.