VULNERABLE and isolated people in Blackburn with Darwen will soon be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables direct from a mobile food co-op.

A total of 84 projects across the North West are sharing in a £670,000 kitty of good cause funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme. And Highercroft Citizens Jury in Blackburn with Darwen will use £9,635 to set up a mobile service.

It will focus particularly on elderly and disabled people who are either in sheltered accommodation or unable to reach shops.

Purchases can be as small as one apple or one orange.

The project is already providing a service which includes cooking tips for customers.

Lynda Fletcher from Highercroft Citizens Jury said: “The food co-op, which was set up in partnership with the charity Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living two years ago, now has 400 families registered.

“This funding will enable the food co-op to lease a small van and offer affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to other parts of the town including isolated communities and sheltered housing schemes.

“Twin Valley Homes has also come on board and provided additional funding.”