A GROUP of community-minded locals are pitching together to launch a fruit and veg co-op in Tennyson Road.

Operating from Tennyson Community Rooms - formerly the Arts Centre - the group of volunteers plan to buy good-quality, fresh, local produce, and sell them on a non-profit making basis.

Supported by the Rural Regeneration Unit through Welsh Assembly funding, the volunteers will meet each Friday to ‘bag up’ the fresh fruit and vegetables sourced from local wholesaler Michael Brown and his premises at Bessemer Road Fruit Market, Leckwith, meeting on Fridays between 3.15pm and 3.45pm. Hannah James from the Rural Regeneration Unit said: "The Co-op will deliver real benefits to local people, including direct health benefits from increased fruit and veg consumption.

"As this is a community development, it is run by local people for themselves, and they have the full benefit of driving down the prices by buying in bulk."

It will run on a non-profit making basis with everyone getting an equal share of the produce.

Orders will be placed one week in advance, and orders taken each Friday will be ready for collection on the following week. Anyone can purchase bags, at a cost of £2.50 each, with no limit to the amount.

Healthy Start vouchers will also be accepted.

To volunteer or help, go along any Friday and meet the team, or contact Hannah James on 07717 205438 for more information.