HAVE-a-go "farmer" Ian McLaughlin is going green -- by growing his own organic vegetables.

Mr McLaughlin has decided to muck in for a cheap supply of fresh fruit and vegetables -- and now health experts are hoping the whole town will follow in his footsteps.

His organic food plot is coming under scrutiny from health officials who are interested in getting Farnworth, and other coronary heart disease blackspots, to eat more fresh produce. Mr McLaughlin is spearheading one of many local schemes to get Bolton growing its own food.

Health chiefs are becoming more concerned that low income families can not afford fresh foods.

Figures released in November show that residents in the town are 17 per cent more likely to die from heart disease than the average person in England and Wales.

Death rates from chronic heart disease in Bromley Cross are a third lower that the national average, yet in Farnworth they are twice as high. Mr McLaughlin, aged 32, said: "I eat what I grow. It tastes so much better than what you buy in the supermarket and it has no chemicals in it. I feel so much fitter."

Bolton people interested in turning over a new leaf are being urged to join the "Organic Growing Class", which starts next Wednesday at Bethel Church, Westhoughton, from 7pm until 9pm.

Growers based in Halliwell have been farming their plot since 1997 and it now has an established orchard, 50 outdoor raised beds and a polytunnel to grow more unusual vegetables. Westhoughton and Great Lever have similar projects which have been set up under the guidance of the Bolton Wildlife Trust.

Jenny Hall, community food project manager, said: "It is a way of people keeping fit and active, growing and eating more affordable fresh fruit and veg and helping wildlife.

"We are focussing on low income areas because there seems to be more ill health."

Anyone interested in joining the growing schemes or classes should call Jenny Hall on 01204 361847.