Healthy-eating gurus will become a permanent fixture in the Bradford district after the success of a two-year project to get youngsters eating more fruit and vegetables.

The three co-ordinators will now be out spreading the message even wider about eating well to keep fit and trim.

And they will be broadening their efforts from just encouraging people to eat their five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

With Lottery money coming to an end, Bradford and Airedale Primary Care Trusts agreed to take on the role of funders of the Five-a-Day project.

Among the first to benefit from the new regime are students who have enrolled on a new healthy-eating accredited course - eight in Keighley and 16 in Bradford.

The Five-a-Day team yesterday launched its report - "I Matter, You Matter, Food Matters" - at Keighley Healthy Eating Network in Scott Street. It outlines the progress of the campaign over the last two years.

Melanie Hey, community food team co-ordinator, said the report demonstrated the difference the initiative had made to the lives of children in nurseries and schools and the public.

They have worked with community groups, residential and social workers and teachers.

It is now hoped to take the campaign even further and tackle issues such as obesity. More nutritional-training initiatives would be set up in the community in a bid to improve people's food skills and to push the healthy-eating message.

People would get more cooking lessons and advice on what to eat and it is hoped to spread the message right to the grass roots.

"Five-a-day was a great experience, especially in partnership work and we have gained a lot of support," said Melanie Hey. "The report is a great way of showing how local PCTs can really help to improve lifestyles around local communities."

The report revealed that last year 19 per cent of primary school children said they ate more than five fruit and vegetables a day compared with just ten per cent in 2002.

Also, 42 per cent of secondary schoolchildren ate between three and four pieces, compared with 32 per cent four years ago.

Results from nine nurseries showed that there was an increase in the fruit and vegetable intake by children aged from one to three months.

The project has funded fruit tuck shops, after-school clubs, growing clubs, health fairs, smoothie-making classes, tasting sessions and food courses for parents.

And schools have been given help on improving food policies which resulted in the setting up of breakfast clubs, better vending provisions and packed lunches as well as improving dining room environments.

e-mail: clive.white @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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