Ashford has the highest rate of obese four to five-year-olds in Kent.

Figures show that 11 per cent of those children tested were obese, the highest in the county.

The statistics from the NHS’ National Child Measurement Programme were revealed in a report to last Thursday’s Ashford Borough Council executive committee meeting.

The report’s author, environmental health manager Sheila Davison, said: "Schools in Ashford district have the highest percentage of obese children in the county.

"The results indicate 11 in 100 children aged four to five are obese. This is part of the justification for us wishing to direct some resources towards promoting healthy eating and cooking."

A total of 1,144 reception year children were tested and 126 were found to be obese.

There is a higher percentage of obese Year 6 children, 15.6, but in that age group Ashford is only 10th worst out of Kent’s 13 council districts – with the worst, Medway, at 20.5 per cent. A total of 124 in Ashford were found to be obese out of 1,131 measured.

Officers recommend that the council continues to try to develop a scheme to tackle the problem this year, but stress that external funding is needed.

Ms Davison also wrote: "We will look at initiatives to help tackle obesity rates that are considered one of the biggest public health issues facing the country."

The details were revealed in a general report on food safety.

The council is hoping to promote healthy eating and cooking through running a Healthy Choices Award scheme.

It will contact colleagues across Kent about this and seek funding from groups such as primary care trusts.

Meanwhile it will develop healthy eating and cooking pages on Ashford council’s own website.

n Shepway is the fourth worst in Kent for obese four to five-year-olds. Its percentage is 9.7, or 80 out of 829 children tested.

It ranks sixth out of Kent’s 13 council districts for Year 6 children. That figure is 17.4 per cent, or 191, out of 1,100.