A campaign to reduce cancer deaths in East Sussex by getting people to eat fresh fruit and vegetables has received a £100,000 boost from the Government.

Hastings and St Leonards is one of five pilot sites in the country selected by the Department of Health for the Five A Day programme.

The scheme encourages people to eat five pieces of fruit or vegetables a day to help prevent bowel cancer, the second biggest cancer killer in the UK.

Margaret Felton, cancer co-ordinator at the health promotion department of East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, said: "We see this pilot as an exciting and welcome opportunity to focus on cancer reduction through diet.

"We want to increase people's awareness of the value of fruit and vegetables, whether tinned, frozen, dried or fresh, eaten with fish, meat or on their own, to provide some protection against bowel and other cancers.

"But there are barriers that limit people's access to such food, such as cost and lack of a local greengrocer as well as lack of knowledge about how best to cook them. This project will make it easier for children and adults to make healthier choices about what they eat."

The health authority plans to do this by supporting community food schemes such as food co-ops and community gardens. It also wants to promote healthy food in schools, involve local groups in producers' markets and train people working in primary care, childcare and the community.

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