CHILDREN at a Nelson primary school will be getting fruity as part of a pilot scheme to extend a Government project to boost child health.

Junior pupils at Castercliff Primary School have planned their own enterprise to ensure youngsters of all ages have access to healthy snacks at school. The children have set up a healthy tuck shop, which will serve fruit to children who do not already get free fruit in school.

Children in the reception class and years one and two already benefit from the national free fruit scheme, but older youngsters are not currently included so the pupils are taking the matter into their own hands.

The pilot project, organised in conjunction with Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust and teacher Jan Parkinson, will involve opening a new tuck shop, selling fruit cheaply.

The shop, set to open for business next Tuesday, has been boosted by lottery cash from the Five a Day initiative which aims to encourage people to eat five recommended portions of fresh fruit and veg daily.

Posters to advertise the stall are being designed by the youngsters themselves, with a competition in school to decide on a name. The shop will initially be run by children in year six who will pass on their new-found business knowledge to younger pupils to continue the trade when they leave this summer.

Alison McLaughlin, Five a Day project co-ordinator for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, said: "Infants get the free fruit to start them off on healthy eating habits but, unfortunately, the juniors don't, so we're helping them to get started with this project.

"It was their idea and we were delighted to give them all the help they needed to get under way.

"They are also very adventurous with their future plans. Ultimately they are thinking of introducing some of the more exotic types of fruit, such as mangoes, kiwi fruit and the like, and why not?

"It's all about expanding choice and giving young people more healthy options."