MORE youngsters than ever before are regarded as obese by the time they leave primary school in the North-East.

The figure hit 6,251 in 2015/16 which Cancer Research UK said was an increase of 300 over the past decade.

Figures compiled from the Government’s National Childhood Measurement Programme by NHS Digital also showed that the prevalence of obesity among reception aged children was higher in Middlesbrough (15 per cent) than anywhere else in England.

The programme measures the height and weight of state school youngsters in reception (aged four to five) and year six (ten to 11 years) – the final primary school year – in order to establish their Body Mass Index (BMI).

A total of 56,646 children were measured in the last school year in the North-East. In reception 10.7 per cent of children were regarded as obese, compared to 9.3 per cent across England.

In year six the proportion of obese youngsters was 22.4 per cent, compared to 19.8 per cent across England. The highest proportion was in Newcastle (25.4 per cent).

North Yorkshire fared better in the data. There 7.5 per cent of reception aged youngsters were regarded as obese and in year six 15.7 per cent.

NHS Digital’s report showed that the prevalence of obesity among reception children living in the most deprived areas was more than double that of those living in the least deprived areas, while the gap was even bigger when it came to year six.

It said the proportion of obese reception children rose from 9.1 per cent in 2014-15 to 9.3 per cent in 2015-16 and from 19.1 per cent to 19.8 per cent for those in year six.

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research’s UK spokeswoman for the North-East, said: “The trend over the last decade is showing no signs of slowing down and this worrying news is something that could have been prevented with more Government action.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The Government has intentionally taken a careful and measured approach which will reduce obesity in the future, through initiatives like the soft drinks industry levy, cutting the amount of sugar consumed by young people.

"Alongside this, our restrictions on advertising and promotion are among the toughest in the world.”