AN Eat Your Way to Health initiative has been launched.

The slogan will be used by Hartlepool Borough Council for a series of events to promote the benefits of a healthy diet. Fruity Friday has already taken place, and was aimed at council staff.

Healthy food co-ordinator Kim Baines and her colleagues distributed 350 fruit kebabs and fruit smoothies in support of the World Cancer Research Fund.

She said: "Hartlepool has higher than average mortality rates from illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, and we want to try to change that by encouraging people to alter their eating habits."