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Hotel chiefs were rapped yesterday for planning to weigh children - and charge fat ones more for Sunday lunch.

Youngsters will be asked to step on the scales to see how much their restaurant meal should cost.

A child weighing five stone will pay £5 while a youngster who tips the scales at 10 stone will have to fork out £10. Bosses at five-star Oulton Hall near Leeds claim the idea is "just a bit of fun".

But outraged child obesity experts say it could hold overweight youngsters up to ridicule.

Prof Paul Gateley, said: "It's a cheap shot but ultimately they could end up shooting themselves in the foot. What child wants to go out for a meal and suddenly be pulled on to the scales?" And Dr James Stubbs, the obesity researcher at Slimming World, said: "Families and children who are overweight need friendly support.

"Stigmatising young people who are struggling with their weight is hardly 'a bit of fun'."

But bosses at Oulton Hall, owned by De Vere Hotels, were unrepentant last night - and claimed the idea is about cutting the cost of dining out.

Spokesman Nigel Massey said: "There will no doubt be people who say it's not politically correct.

"Well, frankly, they should get a life and stop being so miserable."