SCHOOLCHILDREN in Sedgley and Kingswinford can enjoy free fresh fruit on Fridays thanks to a new campaign aimed at encouraging healthy eating among young people.

Staff at the Midcounties Co-operative stores in High Holborn and High Street will offer apples and bananas to every child wearing school uniform who visits the stores on on Fridays.

The campaign is set to run until December 18.

To deliver the programme, the Co-op has partnered with Queen Victoria Primary School in Sedgley and St. Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Kingswinford, with pupils visiting the stores to kick start the campaign.

Parents were also given information to help encourage children to enjoy five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, contributing towards the development of healthy eating habits.

Wendy Rawlinson, headteacher of Queen Victoria Primary School, said: “Free Fruit Fridays are an excellent way of encouraging children to eat healthy snacks, and enjoy their five-a-day.

“We are pleased to be partnering with The Midcounties Co-operative on this fantastic initiative, and we’re looking forward to working with both pupils and parents to educate them about the importance of a balanced diet.”

Simon Hartland, district manager of The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We are proud to be launching the Free Fruit Friday campaign in Sedgley and Kingswinford, as part of our commitment to making a difference to the lives of the local community.

“This is an initiative which aims to encourage children to pick up a piece of fruit rather than a bar of chocolate, which is more important than ever in the run up to Christmas.

"By making one of their five-a-day more readily available, we’re ultimately helping them to live healthier and happier lives.”