Vouchers are to be offered in Devon and Cornwall to provide pregnant women on a low income with free milk and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Poorer parents of children under five will also be eligible for coupons worth £2.80 a week, with double coupons in the child's first year. The Healthy Start initiative was launched yesterday by Caroline Flint, the public health minister. The programme comes as part of an attempt to improve nutrition.

She said that people would be able to redeem the vouchers in a wide range of local shops. The scheme is due to spread throughout England next year.