Passengers arriving at Hackbridge station were greeted by a living broccoli and carrot to mark to launch of a new healthy living scheme.

A brightly-coloured Veg Van selling locally-produced fresh fruit and vegetables will make a weekly visit to Hackbridge Station to encourage residents to eat healthily.

Staff from environmental charity BioRegional, who organised the project, dressed up as vegetables to mark the launch.

Sutton food network manager for BioRegional Seeta Rajani said: “It went really well, lots of people turned up and they said the van was really good and asked when we would be back.

The Veg Van sold half of the produce on board and attracted all kinds of people from commuters to young mums. MP Tom Brake also turned out to see what was on offer.

The business is not-for-profit, so any money earned will be used to cover costs and improve the service, keeping prices low and benefiting the local economy.

The Veg Van is part of a three year borough-wide One Planet Food project being delivered by local charities BioRegional and Ecolocal. Its aim is to improve access to fresh local food for residents.

Executive member for environment Coun Colin Hall said: “The Veg Van will make a huge difference to Hackbridge residents by enabling them to buy fresh fruit and vegetables on their journey home from work, rather than driving to a supermarket.”

The project is supported by the Big Lottery, Sutton Council, Sutton and Merton PCT and The Esmée Fairbain Foundation. For more information visit vegvan.org.uk Joint medical director of NHS Sutton and Merton Dr Howard Freeman said: “People in Hackbridge told us that being healthy was important to them but the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables available locally makes eating “five a day” difficult. The Veg Van is a great opportunity for people in Hackbridge to get affordable, local fresh food to help them achieve healthier lifestyles.”

On Fridays the Veg Van will visit Sutton's Civic Offices from 1.15pm to 2.15pm and Victor Seymour School, Denmark Road, Carshalton from 2.45pm to 3.30pm.

The Veg Van will visit Hackbridge Station every Wednesday from 4.30pm till 8pm.