DOZENS of people queued to collect cheap fruit and veg yesterday at the launch of an innovative healthy eating scheme.

Residents in Trevethin, Penygarn and Pontypool lined up outside the Communities First Hall to take advantage of the Vegetable Box scheme set up by the Garnsychan Partnership.

The volunteer-run scheme allows people to buy fresh fruit and vegetagbles at low prices to promote healthy eating.

As the Argus revealed, shocking figures earlier this year revealed that 57% of adults in the county are obese or overweight. Organisers were shocked by the response.

"It has been fantastic - we have had a really good response and we are rushed off our feet," said organiser Joanne Sprake.

"It shows that a lot of people want to eat healthily but either can't afford it or don't have access to the right foods."

Two bags of vegetables cost £4 in the scheme, but yesterday were half price.

Among those in the queue were friends Jill Mallet and Jayne Luce. Jill said: "I think this is really good for the community and especially for the children. I hope parents take advantage of it."

Jayne said: "I'm going to try to lose three pounds by esting more healthily. I can't usually afford to eat nice stuff like this."

Stephen White, of St Cadocs, said he queued for the fruit and veg after reading the story in the Argus.

"I changed my eating habits a year ago and I am 100% different," he said. "This is a great initiative."

Bernadette Maloney, also of St Cadocs, said: "I think this is absolutely brilliant, especially for the poorer parts of the community. A lot of people haven't got cars to get to the supermarket."

The Vegetable Box Scheme runs every Wednesday at Trevethin Communities First Hall and every Thursday at the Corn Bin, Garndiffaith.