FREE fruit is being given out at a supermarket to raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Health professionals from Colchester General Hospital will be handing out produce at Tollgate Sainsbury’s between 9.30am and 3.30pm on April 17 and 19.

It marks the national Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and promotes Colchester General’s NHS bowel cancer screening programme.

The professionals will be offering advice on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Anna Wordley, nurse consultant for gastro-intestinal cancers, said: “Bowel cancer affects both men and women, particularly those aged over 50 and over, although the number of younger people affected is increasing.

“The sooner a patient is diagnosed, the better their chances of successful treatment.”