Wednesday, September 1, 1999 Published at 13:16 GMT 14:16 UK
Children told - carrots can be cool
Children eating junk food could become a thing of the past
Researchers at a Welsh university have devised a scheme for convincing children to eat healthily and be cool at the same time.
The £500,000 programme called Food Dudes has been created by University of Wales College Bangor and encourages youngsters to eat more fruit and veg without getting bored.
Food Dudes has proved a success during trials and plans are being devised to extend it in the hope of changing long-term eating habits among children.
The research team has already amassed a wealth of data showing children's tastes can be influenced by peer pressure.
Team member Elinor Elis-Williams said the statistics made encouraging reading.
"By using videos and games, we can affect sustained changes in children's eating habits, for six months or more," she said.
"What we are hoping is that this is a life change."
Appearance is regarded as all-important and imaginatively-shaped or presented fruit and veg have proved popular in the trials.
Funding has been provided by the Horticultural Development Council, the Fresh Produce Consortium and six of the nation's largest food supermarkets.
It is not the first time that attempts have been made in Wales to convince children to eat healthy foods.
The Deeside-based frozen foods company Iceland has already tried cut-out shaped veg to attract children and the idea proved a great hit.