A COLLEGE is removing all vending machines from school premises to encourage healthy eating and promote fair trade.

Harrogate Ladies' College has three snack machines for juniors, and one for the sixth form. All four will be removed and replaced with a Fair Trade tuck shop.

Headteacher Dr Margaret Hustler said fruit was available to pupils at every meal, but the school was concerned that pupils were eating too many sugary snacks.

She said: "The new tuck shop will still have chocolate bars and some snacks, but overall we're trying to steer pupils towards healthier options.

"Our pupils come from all over the world and many are very concerned about poverty in the developing countries, so this is a way for them to improve their own eating habits and support a charity at the same time."

Fair Trade is an international body aiming to buy from farmers in the developing world at fair prices and sell directly through shops and catalogues.