AN initiative and plenty of hard work has proved fruitful for a cook at a North Yorkshire school.

Lynne Fowler has won a national award for the work she has done to encourage more pupils to eat fresh fruit at Ainderby Steeple CE School, near Northallerton.

Head teacher Maureen Webster supported the suggestion a year ago from parent Tracey Palmer of giving the children fruit to eat at morning break, instead of a traditional biscuit.

After a successful trial-run, fruit has been served each day at the school.

The pupils choose which fruits and how much they want at the start of the week.

Mrs Fowler and kitchen assistant Gayle Waite prepare the fruit before it is served by children from Years 5 and 6.

Mrs Fowler has been awarded the High Five title in the Children's Food Awards 2002 for her hard work.

Mrs Webster said: "I am grateful for Mrs Fowler and Mrs Waite putting in the extra work as they insist the fruit is prepared just before it is served.

"This rewards Lynne for all her hard work, which has paid off as the children no longer ask for crisps and biscuits in their break."