A HEALTH chief is calling on town hall bosses to cut the number of takeaways and improve health in the town.

The call follows figures released by Public Health England which show Bolton is in the top 10 per cent for the number of takeaways per head of population.

Bolton is ranked number 27 out of 324 on the list of authorities published by the health body.

Speaking at a Clinical Commissioning Group last week, David Herne, director of public health, said: "Fast-food mapping has been released by Public Health England today and Bolton is 27th in the league table, out of 324.

"We're actually near the top for having more fast food per head of population than most places in the country.

"You see it in the doctor's practice coming through the door.

"The council has the capacity to shape what that looks like with guidance for planners and licensing that will reduce those takeaways. We need to have the intent to do that."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "Public Health England has used a new methodology which means we are unable to compare the data from this year to last year.

“However, we recognise that locally levels of obesity are still too high, as they are nationally, and we are working hard with our partners to drive these levels down.

“We introduced a Supplementary Planning Document in 2013 aimed at restricting the growth of fast food outlets and takeaways.

“The document includes a restriction of any new hot food takeaways opening within 400 metres of secondary schools.

“However, simply restricting outlet numbers doesn’t leading to people making healthier food choices — we are also encouraging people to eat better and be more active.

“We start this young by educating younger children in the benefits of eating well and by providing healthy school dinners. In addition, we have helped to fund and develop free breakfast clubs in schools, benefitting hundreds of children.”

The figures from Public Health England reveal England’s poorest areas are fast-food hotspots, with five times more outlets found in these communities than in the most affluent.

The five local authorities with the highest number of takeaways per population are Blackpool, Camden, Burnley, East Lindsey and Great Yarmouth.

The five with the lowest are Rochford, Wokingham, Corby, Sevenoaks and Mid Devon.

The data also suggests fast-food outlets account for more than a quarter (26 per cent) of all eateries in England.

As part of releasing the data Public Health England is encouraging local authorities to clamp down on fast food places and has helped develop stronger planning guidance to support councils.

Some local authorities have already taken steps towards this with schemes like "healthier zones" which limit the number of fast food outlets near places like schools and playgrounds.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "It’s not surprising some children find it difficult to resist the lure of fast-food outlets when many neighbourhoods are saturated with them.

"Local authorities have the power to help shape our environment and support people in making healthier choices.

"They need to question whether these fast food hotspots are compatible with their work to help families and young children live healthier lives."