A PROJECT that was launched to eliminate food waste by producing natural and healthy food at Wiltshire College has received £17,000 in funding.

The Foundation Studies department was was the only college in the UK to have been given funding by the National Union of Students under its Student Eats programme, which supports students to grow food and develop food-based social enterprises.

Originally the college, which started the Apple Project at the Trowbridge Campus in September, applied for £11,000 but that was increased by £6,000 as NUS EATS were so impressed with the project.

Cath Giles, deputy head for foundation studies, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding and are looking forward to the upcoming year making a difference to the community and our students."

Students were able to use apples that would have otherwise gone to waste at Roundway Orchard in Devizes, run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, to make juice and chutneys, which were then sold at different college events including the annual Lambing weekends at Lackham.

Going forward, students will have the chance to try extra courses in food hygiene and staff will get more training to take this project further.