EXOTIC treats and fruity fun are the order of the day at a Middlewich pre-school thanks to a regular visit by a greengrocer.

Staff at Tommy Thumbs Pre-school are making sure the children tuck into their five a day every day with fresh fruit deliveries twice a week.

New independent grocer Mike Lane, who opened Ye Olde Fruite Shoppe in Wheelock Street last month, is delighted to help out at the nursery, based at the Wych Centre, in Civic Way.

He said: "I think this is a good idea - especially with youngsters because there's been so much press coverage about school dinners so it's nice to do something like this.

"They can get used to tasting different fruits too as we might put one or two extras in that they can try, like a mango or a kiwi.

"It's a way of helping the community too, which I think is a good thing and is something that I wanted to do in the first place."

Tina Hesketh, chairman of the pre-school committee, said eating fresh fruit every day formed an important part of Tommy Thumbs' oral health scheme to take care of the children's teeth along with their general well-being.

She said: "In winter they eat toast more often than not but in summer it's nicer to eat fruit, especially when it's in season.

"It will be good if they can get something different too so we've given the grocer free reign - as long as there's enough to feed 52 children a day!"