A Cumbrian fruit and veg wholesaler has launched a new venture to help people go plastic-free and eat more healthily.

Inter Fresh, based in Caldewgate, Carlisle, has joined forces with Jonny Honeyman to create Boxed Fresh, which will deliver fresh fruit boxes to workplaces and vegetable and fruit boxes to people's homes.

William Box, 28, of Scotby, is the managing director of Inter Fresh.

He said: “It a natural progression for me having Inter Fresh who already supply quality produce to local restaurants, hotels, cafés and other establishments, to then be able to offer that to residents and workplaces.

"It’s also something we have been asked about and when Jonny, who is a long-time friend as well, wanted to do something similar, it made sense to do it together.”

The venture had a soft launch over Christmas, which saw more than 300 boxes ordered and delivered.

The pair said they were delighted with the reaction from their new customers.

Mr Honeyman, 26, of Curthwaite, said: “The success of the Christmas boxes has been very encouraging and shows that people do want to eat healthier and go plastic free.

"One couple had fed back that having the fruit and vegetables in a cardboard box and brown bags took them back in time while also reducing the amount of plastic waste.

"We also wanted to extend it to workplaces around the area, to help the workforce stay healthy and offer an alternative to the usual office snacks of chocolate and biscuits.

"We have made it affordable so employers can purchase it for staff or staff can easily chip in together.”