A COUNCILLOR is calling for a new initiative to tackle rising obesity levels.

Mark Wilson, Ulverston Town Councillor, plans to work with schools, supermarkets and health groups, to combat rising child obesity levels in the district.

Figures show more than a third of children in the county are now overweight or obese by the age of 11.

Cumbria County Council revealed in a recent report that 25.6 per cent of reception children in Cumbria are overweight compared to 22.6 per cent nationally.

Ulverston is above the national average, with 23.7 per cent of reception aged children (four to five-year-olds) considered overweight in 2018/19.

Barrow is also in the red zone, with 28.3 per cent of reception aged children deemed overweight.

Mr Wilson said:“There has definitely been a rise in child obesity in Ulverston in recent years.

“This number has got to be brought down to ensure children aren’t diagnosed with early onset diabetes or other obesity-related illnesses.”

In order to do this, Mr Wilson plans on liaising with local schools, supermarkets and health groups to ensure families are educated on proper nutrition levels.

He said: “I hope to work in Ulverston with supermarkets and greengrocers to promote cooking with fruit and vegetables.

“We would consider going into schools and running classes on nutrition and healthy eating.

“We also want to link with the foodbank on providing fresh fruit vegetables as part of our healthy town initiative.

“Rising obesity levels are a county-wide problem which needs addressing.

“Action needs to be taken to ensure our kids will not grow up with health problems.”