HEALTH-conscious sports fans are going nuts for a vending machine that has nothing to do with sweets, chocolates and other treats.

The Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, has installed an H Box, which stocks only healthy snacks - nuts, cereals, fruit bars, dried fruits, juices and a low fat alternative to crisps.

The machine is provided by the Healthy Snack Company, in Gloucestershire, which supplies healthy snacks to schools, leisure venues and businesses across the UK.

Director Colin Sayer said: "All the snacks are either low or low to moderate in salt, sugar and fat, in line with Government guidelines.

"Our aim is to not only distribute snacks, but to advise on the nutritional content of the products that we supply and to help, where requested, to implement policies to encourage healthy eating."

Leisure centre manager Lorenzo Clarke said: "This new approach to vending is something we are keen to try. If successful, we will consider phasing out the more traditional types of produce in favour of the healthy snacks.

"Many customers work up quite an appetite at the centre so it's a shame to undo some of the good work by snacking on products with high fat or salt levels.

"So far, the new machine has been very popular."