More than a third of Hyndburn’s population is overweight, new figures have revealed.

And Hyndburn has the tenth highest concentration of fast food outlets in the whole country – with one for every 134 people.

Council chiefs now say they planning to control the number of takeaways near schools, colleges and town centres after research revealed a possible link between obesity and the availability of fast foods.

Hyndburn is currently home to 108 fast food outlets and figures from The National Obesity Observatory have revealed that 39.8 per cent of the borough’s population is overweight – while 27.7 per cent are classed as obese.

Meanwhile, the percentage of adults with excess weight is also higher than the England average, with 67.5 per cent against 63.8 per cent nationally.

Hyndburn Council’s deputy chief executive, Joe McIntyre, said the proliferation of hot food takeaways needs to be ‘carefully controlled’ and a strategy to reduce the number of takeaways near schools, colleges and town centres is being developed.

He said Hyndburn Council works closely with Lancashire County Council to increase physical activity and encourage healthier lifestyles.

He added: “The council considers that in the interests of the health of the borough’s residents, particularly young people and children, that the proliferation of hot food takeaways needs to be carefully controlled.

“The planning policies being developed by the council would prohibit the development of hot food takeaways within 400m walking distance of schools and colleges in the borough in the interests of seeking to protect the health of young people. The policy framework would also seek to ensure that the number of hot food takeaways in town centres does not have an adverse impact on the local environment.”

Hyndburn Council’s health lead councillor, Pam Barton, said that healthy eating should start in the home.

She said: “We are as a borough encourage people to eat healthy foods. The odd treat is fine but on the whole we should be encouraging our children to eat healthy foods.

“It’s a combined effort, but as a council we should be doing everything we can to promote healthy eating.”