HEALTH chiefs have called for a ban on sweets advertising aimed at children and for some sweets to be taken off the shelves amid growing concerns about the increasing problem of adolescent obesity.

Bolton public health practitioner Brenda Griffiths, has been calling for sugar-laden drinks and syrupy sweets to be taken off the shelves for several years.

Mrs Griffiths says many sweets are "terrible for children's health and teeth."

She has bombarded major retailers with her requests which she says have fallen on deaf ears. But now, her calls are being backed by the Fabian Society which says that sweets should be banned from sale near schools and advertising before 9pm on television be banned.

Meanwhile, a pioneering Bolton scheme tackling child obesity and the couch potato lifestyle could be repeated around the country after receiving glowing praise for its innovation.

Dramatically Fitter was started in Bolton last year for 10-14 year-olds to address the growing problem of obesity in children. Lack of exercise and eating too many sugary and refined snacks such as crisps has been blamed for the rocketing numbers of children facing health problems, and often bullying, because of their weight. The number of youngsters diagnosed as being obese has doubled since 1989, according to the Bolton Primary Care Trust who are behind the project.

The Fabian Society now says that children's lives will be shorter than their parents' unless more is to be done to tackle rising obesity.

The Bolton project uses a fun approach to raising children's awareness about healthy food choices and exercise options and was the first of its kind in the country.

Mrs Griffiths said: "It isn't rocket science. We set out to build the children's self-esteem and body image through a variety of fun activities."

"We didn't want to just show them a diet sheet and expect them to get on with it.

"We discussed the choices that they had control over, such as snacking, drinks and what to have for lunch, and also the healthier choices they could make when they were eating out with friends.

"They took part in food tasting, walks with the local Rangers and exercise sessions in the gym.