Wellington, Oct 29 NZPA - The Government will continue the Fruit in Schools programme but trim administration costs, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

The programme was introduced by the previous government and was to be funded for three years when schools would start to pay for the fruit, Mr Ryall said.

The Government will fund an extra six months for schools that have come to the end of their three years, pending a review.

The administration of the scheme, which was overseen by District Health Board staff, will now become part of the Health Promoting Schools programme.

Mr Ryall said the move would save $4 million a year.

Just over half the money spent on the programme last year went toward buying fruit, he said.