Children in a British primary school are being withdrawn from a programme offering free fruit because it is funded by the National Lottery, officials said yesterday.
Charnwood Primary School in Leicester is opting out of the scheme after parents wrote to the school to say they did not want their children to be given the fruit.
The headteacher decided to take action because 96 per cent of the youngsters are Muslim and Islamic law strictly forbids any form of gambling.
The New Opportunities Fund programme was set up to help improve the diets of children and encourage them to develop healthy eating habits.
Letters were sent to all parents at the 320-pupil school and 50 per cent of them decided they did not want their children to eat the fruit, a spokeswoman said.
Headteacher Ms Judy O'Connor decided to withdraw from the programme as a mark of respect for the families at the Highields school.
A New Opportunities Fund spokeswoman said: "We accept that this particular school feels unable to accept the Lottery funding because of the religious beliefs of the children.
"The ultimate decision should rest with the school.
"We understand the government has said it will start the scheme nationally from 2004.
"In the long term, children who are not able to take part because of religious beliefs will have the chance to do so if and when it is funded by the government." - (PA)