PARENTS and MPs are demanding that a pioneering new scheme to provide free fruit for young schoolchildren is extended to East Lancashire as a matter of urgency.

The Government is piloting the project in Leicester and Inner London this term.

In the Spring of next year, it will be extended to the rest of England's 26 Health Action Zones (HAZ) with the scheme being rolled out in the rest of the country between this Autumn and Summer 2004.

But East Lancashire's MPs are unhappy that the area -- which this week was allocated more than £2 million extra to tackle health inequalities -- missed out on the initial pilot and is so far down the list for the scheme.

It's application to become an HAZ was rejected in 1998.

Now Labour's Greg Pope and Gordon Prentice are allying with Tory Nigel Evans to lobby Ministers to bring the free fruit scheme to East Lancashire as soon as possible. By 2004 the Government hopes to give all four to six-year-old free fruit such as apples, bananas, pears and satsumas every day. Figures from the World Cancer Research Fund show a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can prevent up to 20 per cent of cases of cancer.

The scheme has also gained the support of the National Farmers' Union who have pledged to all they can to ensure it is a success and makes full use of UK-grown produce.

A Department of Health spokesman explained why East Lancashire was so low down the priority list:"We have got to pilot the scheme somewhere. We cannot do it everywhere. "The pilot is to iron out teething problems then we will extend to Health Action Zones which have already been designated the areas of greatest need. Unfortunately East Lancashire is not one of the HAZs.

"We have to prioritise how we roll out this scheme."

But the MPs are not satisfied.

Hyndburn MP Mr Pope said:"I accept that you have to pilot the scheme somewhere but I want to see it come to East Lancashire earlier rather than later.

"This is a very valuable scheme to improve children's health - not to mention their health in later life.

"I shall raise this matter with Ministers."

Ribble Valley's Mr Evans said:"This is a very important scheme to improve people's health. Fruit is vital to diet. Too many children exist on a diet of fatty foods and chips. This will help provide a more balanced diet.

"East Lancashire has some of the worst health problems in the country which the government acknowledged in its cash allocations this week.

"It should be a priority for this scheme and I want to see it extended to East Lancashire as early as possible. I shall be lobbying Ministers to ensure this is the case."

Pendle's Mr Prentice said:"Fruit is very important to health - as they say "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".

"This is a very good idea. Too many children exist on fizzy drinks and crisps which is bad for their health now and in the future. "I shall be making representations to Ministers to bring this scheme to my constituency and the rest of East Lancashire as quickly as it can be".

Parents of pre-school children shopping in Morrisons in Blackburn welcomed the scheme but said it should be introduced in East Lancashire now.

Jonathan Sumner, 25, an engineer from Wellington Street, Accrington, said: "I think there should be free fruit for everyone."

Jonathan's partner, Joanne Kenyon, 23, an accounts clerk, said: "Children should be encouraged to eat more fruit, but I think if it is happening elsewhere we should have it here too."

Debbie Cooper, 29, a customer service officer from Blackburn, said: "We should have it now, rather than having to wait. It doesn't seem fair others should have it, but not us."

Sonya Stubley, 19, of Blackburn, said: "It is a good idea. I think children should eat more fruit rather than crisps and sweets, because it is healthier."

Patricia Goddard, 55, of Ribchester, said: "It is a good scheme, but I'm not sure how they are going to make children eat fruit even if it is free. It should be introduced in all areas."

Kris Wilcock, 19, a parent from Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, said: "It is a great idea and we should have it here. I don't think children eat enough fruit."