STUDENTS in north Durham are ditching sweets for healthy treats.

Roseberry Sport and Community College in Chester-le-Street yesterday launched a fruit tuck shop for pupils.

It will be open during the school morning break and is run by the PE and sports department.

It was funded with a £100 grant from the Why 5? project, run by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

The scheme aims to get young people eating five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.

Matthew Inwood, PE sports assistant, said: "The launch of the fruit tuck shop is just one of a number of initiatives the school is promoting towards the health of its pupils, as well as working towards achieving the Healthy Schools Standard."

The tuck shop follows the success of an event held at the college in February, when 1,500 primary school children took part in fruit and vegetable tasting sessions.