Efforts to tackle childhood obesity in Scotland are failing, with figures showing the number of children at risk of being overweight or obese is now at a record high.

The NHS statistics reveal that 22.9 per cent of primary one pupils are at risk, representing a rise of 0.8 per cent in 12 months, and almost a two per cent increase since the SNP came to power in 2007.

The report also shows the situation is worse in the poorest communities, with just over 26 per cent of children in their first year at school at risk of weighing too much, compared to 18 per cent in better off areas.

Cancer campaigners said the figures were a scandal and called for legislation to restrict multi-buy offers on unhealthy food and drink.

The report by ISD Scotland, part of the NHS, reveals a considerable overall gap between the most and least deprived children, with 80.9 per cent of primary children in wealthier areas regarded as a healthy weight, compared to 72.4 per cent in deprived communities.

Across the country, 76.1 per cent of all P1 youngsters had a healthy body weight last year, with one per cent at risk of being underweight.