ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Takeaway restaurants should refuse to sell fast food to unaccompanied children after school to help curb London’s child obesity crisis, experts said today.

A City Hall taskforce aiming to halve the number of overweight and obese schoolchildren in the capital by 2030 set out a series of recommendations.

It called for “the most unhealthy foods and drinks commonly consumed by young people” to be taken off the menu at peak times — most likely during school lunch, two hours after school and at mealtimes in school holidays.

London has an estimated 8,563 takeaways and 18 boroughs have more per head than the national average.

About 20 per cent of children in the last year of primary school are obese, though this varies according to wealth — from 11.4 per cent in Richmond to 29.7 per cent in Barking and Dagenham — according to the NHS National Child Measurement Programme.

Today’s report by London’s Child Obesity Taskforce, established by Mayor Sadiq Khan, says that fast-food restaurants can “lead the way” in changing unhealthy habits.

It calls for a ban on the advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt that are aimed at children to be extended from the Tube and bus network to all outdoor spaces in London, in particular sports stadia and leisure centres.

Haringey and Southwark are among the boroughs said to be about to follow Transport for London’s lead.

The taskforce, which includes public health and social services chiefs, suggests that shops and supermarkets stop displaying unhealthy foods at the height of a small child’s eyes or hands, reducing the risk that they “pester” their parents for unhealthy treats.

It calls for a “dramatic increase” in the number of residential roads that are temporarily closed to traffic to create “play streets” for children and encourage physical activity.

Availability of free drinking water should become widespread — with the idea of it being branded as “London Water” to make it an “aspirational” choice among families.

A voucher scheme that offers free fruit and vegetables to low-income Londoners should be expanded and advice provided in the letter advising parents of their children’s measurement score on active lifestyles and healthy eating.

Taskforce chairman Paul Lindley said: “Many of our children face the risk of lifelong ill health by having an unhealthy weight that’s driven by inequality. We want to unleash a transformation in London so that every child has a chance to grow up eating healthily, drinking water and being physically active.”

Mr Khan said: “London’s Child Obesity Taskforce’s report rightly calls for action across the capital. I will carefully consider their report.”