A "TOOLKIT" is being given to health chiefs to help them fight obesity.

They will use it to offer advice to people on how to make healthier lifestyle choices and fight the flab.

The kit will include up-to-date statistics and advice about what has worked across the country to help people deal with weight problems.

Julie Holt, public health nutrition and dietetics specialist for Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "I believe this toolkit will be a useful contribution to the resources we have available to help us support people and help them improve their health.

"Those who support people to make lifestyle changes, including increased physical activity or altering their eating habits, will appreciate the practical advice provided."

Whitehall chiefs have decided to launch the toolkit nationally in a bid to combat the country's growing obesity problem.

Public health minister Caroline Flint said: "We want to help people make changes to their lifestyles that will improve their health and the health of their children.

"This isn't about telling people what to do.

"The obesity toolkit provides professionals in local government and the NHS with the tools they need to tackle this problem."

Many intiatives included in the toolkit have already been introduced in Bolton, such as the Healthy Schools project, encouraging more women to breastfeed, the promotion of physical exercise and efforts to improve access to healthy food at affordable prices.

A recent survey of youngsters in Bolton revealed more than one in four 10 and 11-year-olds and four and five-year-olds were obese or overweight.

Youngsters are currently being weighed to re-assess the figures and the results are expected before the end of the year.

Health bosses are also planning to launch schemes to help overweight and obese children change their behaviour in the coming months.