YOUNGSTERS in Hereford have put their impressions of healthy fruit and vegetables in to art form.

They have painted a selection of their favourites on to a giant mural now on show in a city church.

Five schools and clubs took part and around 150 young artists joined in.

Helen Morris-Ridout co-ordinated the project, which involved a series of painting workshops at Unity Gardens, where the mural will finally find a home.

It was the idea of the Five a Day team at Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to persuade people, in particular children, to eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day. It is claimed that by doing so people can reduce the risk of suffering from heart disease, or cancer, in the future.

Unity Gardens, with its reputation for growing fine fruit and vegetables, was a natural place to start things moving.

An artist painted the background and the youngsters added their ideas. Each panel was then signed with their handprints.

The schools and groups involved were St Francis Xavier, Our Lady's, St James Primary, Wild Play after school club and Level Up, a young adults club.

The mural is on display at All Saints Church in Hereford and will return to Unity Gardens in Ledbury Road later.