Elf service to promote fruit and veg

Healthy eating elves are the latest creations in the battle to encourage healthy eating among children.

A new cartoon elf service has been created by the Cartoon Network, although media reports suggested the move was made to deflect criticism for screening junk food advertisements to children.

Turner Broadcasting, which owns the Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Toonami, has created a series of six two-minute long cartoons aimed at fighting childhood obesity.

The series, Elfy Food, follows a band of elves on a mission to retrieve magic foods from the evil Frank Farter.

As an extra bonus, the company is offering the series, which cost £250,000 to make, to terrestrial broadcasters, such as the BBC and Channel 4, for free.

Turner is also planning a special Elfy Food week in October, which will see an episode broadcast every hour at peak times.

Each episode features a different fruit or vegetable which gives the elves special powers, with carrots providing night vision.