Schools in the Braintree district have received free packs to help them grow fruit and vegetables.

A total of 60 free packs from Innocent were secured by Braintree Council for each of its Livewell Child schools.

Innocent has teamed up with Grow It Yourself, a not-for-profit social enterprise, for a project called the Big Grow.

The project encourages children to grow their own vegetables to help them better understand where food comes from.

Claire Worrell, assistant headteacher at John Bunyan School, said: “We have pledged to help support our children and their families eat well and we value the importance of teaching children where and how food is grown.

“These pots will complement the work we are doing with our gardening club for children where we are currently growing peas, carrots and tomatoes.”

By growing it themselves, children are much more likely to eat, enjoy eating fruit and vegetables and continue with healthy eating habits.

It includes growing packs and lesson plans for teachers so they can get the whole class involved.

Councillor Peter Tattersley, responsible for health and communities said: “This is another fantastic initiative we are looking forward to seeing grow.

“We want to equip children with the right skills to ensure they have the healthiest possible start in life.

“It is so important to us that we support families to eat well and move more and we are committed to finding schemes such as these.”