MORE than 80 per cent of Scottish parents would like primary school pupils to be given free fruit or vegetables every day.

A new opinion poll, conducted for doctors' body the British Medical Association, found 82% supported the health measure with 7% opposed.

According to the BMA, 11 local authorities in Scotland currently have some form of free fruit and vegetables scheme in place beyond the school dinner menu. This is well below half and a reduction from the position in 2013/14 when 16 local authorities gave out the healthy snacks.

Earlier this year the BMA published a report on young people and food which called for free fruit and vegetables to be distributed by schools daily, for new regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children and for a tax on sugary drinks - which could be used to make fresh produce more affordable.

Now they have commissioned the The Ipsos MORI survey of 2,000 parents across the UK including 136 in Scotland.

Dr Andrew Thomson, who sits on the BMA’s Board of Science, said: “We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that children are eating healthily and this poll shows clear public backing for ensuring that all primary school children get access to a free portion of fruit or vegetables.

“Providing primary school pupils with free fruit or vegetables means that they are less likely to eat unhealthy snacks between meals and helps to build positive habits that can last throughout their lives.

“Investing in children’s health in this way can help them to lead healthier lives and reduce the burden on the NHS in the long-term."

He said it was concerning that local authorities had scrapped the provision of free fruit and vegetables in recent years.

He added: “Action is needed to address this variation and ensure that primary school pupils in all parts of the country benefit equally from free fruit and vegetables.”