THEY say an apple a day keeps the doctor away but the advice is being ignored in Blackburn, according to a report out today.

The study ranks the town 99th out of 100 UK towns for fruit consumption, with residents eating less than two pieces of fruit and vegetables each day.

The government recommends that people consume at least five portions a day.

But, according to the survey, by snack company Whitworths, Blackburn residents' fruit and vegetable intake is way off the mark.

The town finished just one off the bottom after the survey found residents eat less than two pieces daily with a 1.92 average.

The league table was produced by analysing sales data from 259 stores across England and Wales. Those figures were then translated into average portions of fresh and dried fruit and vegetables, then divided by the populations served by the supermarkets.

Today the findings which come despite huge efforts in the borough to highlight healthy eating sparked alarm.

Schools have revamped their menus and introduced healthy living programmes into the syllabus while primary care trusts have visited classrooms to promote the five-a-day message.

Those concerned at the findings include East Lancashire dietician Jenny Slaughter, who in 2004 long before celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and co took up the issue warned that if children's diets were not improved they could die before their parents.

She said: "There has been a big push to promote the five-a-day message and it has been successfully improving things but obviously not enough.

"Fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic heart disease, cancer and reduce the likelihood of obesity and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle."

Cathy Woods, who runs 35-year-old family grocers Woods Home Grown Produce in Blackburn Market with husband John said: "We have been extremely busy and trade is really good.

"There has been a lot of work to promote the benefits of fruit and veg but I was worried to hear the findings."

Coun Dave Hollings, the borough's executive member for education said: "It's worrying that across the population we have people not eating as much fresh fruit as they could.

"We have done our bit but people have to take responsibility for their diet and the diet of their children."

l Top of the list was Bath with shoppers buying an average 3.92 portions per day. Rochdale was last with a 1.91 score.