Get your five a day - at the pub!

Going to the pub can help with your health regime thanks to a new scheme introduced by an innovative licensee.

Patsi Matthews, who took over the Portsdown Inn in Portsmouth nine months ago, has dedicated one day a week to giving away free fruit to her customers.

Every Wednesday she spends £20 on oranges, apples, grapes, kiwi fruit and nectarines for her customers.

She came up with the idea after hearing people complain they were struggling to eat the recommended quantities of fruit and veg.

"I've heard some of my regulars say they get their five-a-day by drinking pints of cider but we all know it does not work like that so I decided to give them a helping hand by dishing out free fruit.

"I go into the lounge bar and fill up the tables with the fruit and they can then go and help themselves."

"It's quite funny seeing someone eating an orange while they are sipping a pint of beer rather than eating a bag of crisps or some peanuts."

And as well as helping the diets of her regulars it has also given Patsi's business a boost because the move has helped attract more families and elderly to the pub.

Builder Chris Davies, 19, said: "I know I don't eat enough fruit but when it's there in front of you then you don't have any excuses not to eat some really.

"At least now you can go down the pub and know that it's actually doing your health some good. I think it's a great idea."