EAST Lancashire MP Nigel Evans today warned the Government that banning chips from school meals will not stop youngsters turning into "Mr and Mrs Blobbies."

The Ribble Valley Tory spoke out in the wake of the House of Commons health committee report which attacked the Government for not doing enough to prevent obesity.

It accused ministers of failing to work together and said the lack of healthy eating and exercise in schools only worked to allow children to get too fat.

It also called for the food industry to stop advertising fatty and salty foods during kids' TV shows.

Just three months ago, four East Lancashire authorities were listed in a league table of the most obese boroughs. And Stephen Morton, director of public health for Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, warned that an increased number of the region's children will become obese unless attitudes change.

Minister Stephen Twigg has now vowed to improve the nutritional value of school meals.

But Mr Evans said: "Prohibiting chips in schools will encourage youngsters to go out and get them from other sources. Some schools are being forced to provide meals for 35p a head. That encourages the chip culture rather than moving us away from it.

"Should we not ensure that the resources are right for the provision of school meals so that youngsters have a choice?"

Staff at Blackburn's Brookhouse Healthy Living Centre have come up with innovative ideas to promote the benefits of healthy eating and exercise.

A "healthy beat" programme uses street dance and games to make them more enjoyable, while Cooking on Prescription invites families to attend special cuisine classes to learn new healthier ways of cooking.