* Cut the melon into quarters, lengthways, scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Run a knife along the flesh next to the skin and discard the skin. Cut the flesh into 2cm x 2cm (1 x 1 inch) cubes. Place into a large serving bowl.

Wash the strawberries pull the stalk out removing the hull. Cut any large strawberries into halves or quarters. Add to the melon cubes.

Wash and slice the grapes in half lengthways. Place in the serving bowl.

* Carefully open the pineapple pieces and tip into the serving bowl with the juice.

Peel the banana and slice into 1cm ( 1/2 inch) thick slices. Stir these slices into the fruit mixture.

Peel the skin off using your fingers making sure all the pith is removed, separate the segments removing pips if necessary.

Wash and cut the apple into quarters remove the core and cut into thick slices or chunks, stir into the fruit mixture.

Cover and chill the fruit salad in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. The fruit salad will look most effective if the pieces of fruit are all cut to a similar size. To give the fruit salad a special appearance arrange on small sprigs of mint just before serving. The fruit salad is delcious served with either Greek natural yogurt, creme fraiche or fromage frais. For a special occasion such as a birthday party the melon can be prepared as follows to form a chest to serve the fruit salad in. Remove and discard a small slice from one end of the melon to form a flat base. Remove and discard a larger slice from the top end. Scoop out the seeds from the centre of the melon using a spoon, scoop out the melon flesh and cut into chunks. Trim the inside of the melon to make a neat cavity. Cut up and use any extra melon flesh. Place the melon chest onto a serving plate. Pile the fruit salad into the melon chest allowing some of the fruit to spill over onto the plate.

being healthy and delicious to eat.