A quarter of a million London school children will receive free fruit every school day in a £42 million scheme funded by the New Opportunities Fund.

Some 515 London schools, spanning 15 boroughs, joined the scheme last week, meaning a total of 244,969 pupils aged 4-6, in 1,354 schools, are enjoying a free piece of fruit every day through the pilot programme. This number is set to rise in the new year.

London children currently eat only half the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, and an extra piece of fruit a day will boost consumption considerably.

The New Opportunities Fund channels National Lottery good cause money into health, education and environment projects across the UK, with a particular focus on combating disadvantage and improving quality of life. The School Fruit programme aims to prevent cancer, heart disease and strokes in later life and builds on the work of the National School Fruit Scheme which rolls out in 2004.