MORE than 11,000 children from low-income families in Blackburn and Darwen can now get free fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy living drive.

Until now parents could get vouchers for milk and infant formula free of charge under the long-running Welfare Food Scheme.

But those who qualify for the scheme can now get fresh fruit and vegetables.

It is thought the scheme, which has been renamed Healthy Start, will benefit more than 11,200 children aged under four in Blackburn with Darwen.

Pregnant women under 18 are also now eligible for the £2.80 vouchers, health bosses said.

The scheme is being backed by Blackburn with Darwen NHS Primary Care Trust.

A spokeswoman said: "The key aims are to improve nutrition, give children the best start in life and reduce health inequalities.

"Qualifying pregnant women and children over one and under four will get one voucher every week, and children under one year old will get two vouchers a week.

"Vouchers can be spent with participating retailers - including small businesses and milkmen as well as larger supermarkets and chemists."

Mike Leaf, the PCTs director of public health, said: "Poor diet can have a real impact on people's health.

"We want people to have the best possible opportunity to eat healthily.

"But for families in low income households, this is sometimes easier said than done.

"This new scheme will not only provide greater choice of healthy food, but will also mean that children can get milk and fresh fruit and vegetables from the cradle up, helping to give them the best possible start in life.

"Healthy Start also provides greater opportunities for mothers to get better support for breastfeeding which has real benefits for mother and baby."

For more information visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call the PCT on 01254 267000.