STUDENTS at a school in Clacton are taking part in an innovative project to help the needy eat more healthily.

Youngsters at the Tendring Enterprise Studio School, in Jaywick Lane, will be growing their own fruit and vegetables as part of the Fresh and Fruity Project, which helps provide the healthy food to low income families with young children and the elderly.

The non-profit scheme was launched by the health trainer team run by community healthcare provider Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) and is now being expanded by the students who are growing tomatoes, potatoes and beans as well as distributing them.

Teacher Johnny Frankland, who is running the scheme, said: “We were sourcing it before, but thought we should now help grow and distribute our own.

“The students are providing a real community service and are getting involved in something where they will develop a lot of skills.”