MORRISONS is giving free fruit to children in its stores in a bid to get more children eating their five-a-day of fruit and vegetables.

Figures from the NHS have revealed just 16 per cent of children aged five to 15 eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. 

The new scheme will save unsold fruit from being needlessly wasted, help children lead healthier lifestyles, and also make shopping easier for busy parents.

'Free Fruit for Kids' provides ripe, good quality fruit, and Morrisons expects to give away thousands of pieces of fruit in each store every week.

Children will be able to choose from apples, bananas, pears, clementines and satsumas, which will be situated in a wooden stand close to the store's entrance, and replenished every morning by the store's greengrocers.

This innovative scheme makes Morrisons the first supermarket to offer children free fruit in every store. Children can then enjoy the fruit in-store or at home, and it is hoped it will encourage them to eat more fruit and vegetables and follow a healthier diet.

Paul Kelly, store manager at Morrisons in Five Lane Ends, Idle, said: “Sometimes our store is left with unsold fruit and customers would prefer us to find a use for it.

"So we’re putting out fruit - that’s at risk of not being sold - for children to help themselves.

"It’s healthy for them, reduces food waste in our store and will help make shopping easier for parents.”