Nearly half of Lancashire’s takeaways are located in the most deprived parts of the county, new figures reveal.

The statistics show a massive over-concentration of fast food outlets in poorer areas compared to the most affluent ones.

Across the 12 county districts – which excludes Blackburn with Darwen – 46.4 percent of all takeaways can be found in the 20 per cent of places with the highest levels of deprivation.

In contrast, the 20 per cent least deprived areas account for only 5.5 percent of Lancashire’s takeaway tally.

The data, last updated in 2022, showed there were 1,408 fast food joints across the area - one for every 890 people – a higher rate than the England average of one per 958 residents.

The figures form part of County Hall’s hot food takeaways and spatial planning strategy, aimed at preventing new fast food outlets opening in deprived wards.

The county authority has issued refreshed guidance to district councils recommending they refuse permission for takeaways to open in such areas.

The strategy also suggests blocking proposals for fast food operations in wards where 10 per cent or more of pupils in reception or 15 per cent or more of those in Year 6 are classed as obese.

It notes a “strong positive correlation” between obesity among reception-aged and Year 6 children and the prevalence of hot food takeaways in an area – although it acknowledges it is not possible to establish a direct causal link.

The policy document also pushes for the refusal of permission for new takeaways within a 400-metre radius of the entry to a secondary school.

Rossendale has adopted some similar policies since 2018, when such recommendations were first made.

County health boss County Cllr Michael Green said the authority was attempting to “help Lancashire residents make the best choices for themselves…and to lead healthier lives”.

In Lancashire  Preston had more than any other area – 200 – with Ribble Valley the least, at 62. But there are now more fast food outlets in every district except Fylde than there were six years ago – with the biggest increases coming in Rossendale (42 per cent) and Pendle (30 per cent).

In addition, half of districts have hit a six-year high in 2024 for the number of takeaways in their area – including Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.

As of 2022, three East Lancs districts had the highest rates of takeaways per 100,000 people – Hyndburn, followed by Burnley and Rossendale.

Burnley had 138, Hyndburn 129, Pendle 113, Rossendale 108 and Ribble Valley 62

The rate of takeaways per 100,000 people were Hyndburn (163.4), Burnley (162.2), Rossendale (151.8), Pendle (100.9) and Ribble Valley (96.7).