MORRISONS stores are doing their bit to keep youngsters healthy by handing out free fruit to children.

Stores in Johnstone, Paisley and Giffnock will be handing out unsold fruit to kids to prevent it being thrown away, while giving children one of their five-a-day, as part of the Free Fruit for Kids scheme.

Every week Morrisons expects to give away 40,000 pieces of fruit that is within its ‘sell by’ window, but is at risk of not being sold.

A range of ‘child friendly’ types of fruit including bananas, apples, pears, sweet clementines, and satsumas will be offered in the entrance of all three stores.

Every morning Morrisons greengrocers will replenish the free fruit stand with produce that otherwise has a chance of being binned.

Children can help themselves to the fruit as they shop with their parents. It is hoped the scheme will encourage children to taste and enjoy different types of fruit.

Jim Moir, store manager at Morrisons in Johnstone, said: “Sometimes our store is left with unsold fruit and customers would prefer us to find a use for it. So we’re putting out fruit - that’s at risk of not being sold - for children to help themselves.”