AN MP is demanding more action to tackle childhood obesity after shocking figures revealed the rate in Wirral is higher than the national average.

Margaret Greenwood attended a special event in Parliament this week to support calls for the Government to do more to tackle the problem and make children's health a priority.

It was organised by the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 leading charities, medical royal colleges and campaign groups working together to influence national policy by calling for evidence-based population health measures to reduce obesity.

The group's figures show the percentage of children aged four to five in Wirral who have a weight classified as overweight or obese is 25.6%.

There are around 2,000 children aged 4-5 years who are overweight or obese in Wirral

There are around 2,800 children aged 10-11 years who are overweight or obese in Wirral.

The percentage nationally is 22.6%.

Currently, one in three children in England leave primary school with excess weight or obesity.

Margaret Greenwood - MP for West Wirral - said: "I was pleased to be able to attend this important event in Parliament highlighting the problem of childhood obesity in the UK.

"The figures for Wirral are a matter of real concern.

"With more than a quarter of four to five year olds here being classed as having excess weight or being obese, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address this matter.

"I will continue to press the government to do all it can to tackle this serious issue."

In a statement, NHS Digital said: "The ever-increasing number of children living with obesity is a clear reflection of the unhealthy wider environment that pushes us towards sugary and fatty food and drinks.

"But we can do something about this.

"We need to start with reducing the number of junk food adverts children see with a 9pm watershed, restrictions on junk food promotions in supermarkets and the food industry stepping up efforts to reduce sugar and fat from everyday foods.

"Every child deserves to grow up healthy and we need strong Government action to make this happen."

Caroline Cerny, Obesity Health Alliance Lead said: "We know that children these days are growing up in obesogenic environments. Families are bombarded by junk food adverts during the shows they watch the most, tempted by cheap fast food outlets littering the high street, and encouraged to buy unhealthy food and drinks through price and prominent place promotions in stores.

"Families want to make healthy choices for their children, and we believe that Chapter 2 of the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan, if fully implemented without delay, will help them to do this, and ultimately help to lower childhood obesity rates sooner rather than later".

A spokeswoman for Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust told the Globe: "Our 0-19 Health and Wellbeing Service works closely with Public Health to offer help and support to parents and families around health, nutrition and physical activity.

"Our health visitors provide advice and guidance to parents and carers with children under 5 about good nutrition and healthy foods, to help prevent obesity.

"We also run health and wellbeing drop-in sessions for school children, young people and their families.

"These are a safe and confidential environment to discuss health related topics, including healthy eating and weight management. Please visit our website or find us on Facebook 0219HVHub for more details.

"For children with greater needs our 'Fit Club' supports children and young people to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"This service was recently rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC."