AN estimated 132,400 people in Cheshire are obese, according to new report.

In the UK, approximately one in five children aged between two and five will be obese by 2010, with more girls than boys affected.

Cheshire County Council wants to make sure that's not the case in Mid Cheshire. Bosses have published a report which proposes an awards scheme to recognise nurseries and pre-schools providing healthy foods and promoting a healthy lifestyle. It says child minders should also be able to take part.

A team headed by Cty Cllr Chris Claxton, scrutinised the effectiveness of various initiatives to change children's eating habits, particularly out of school by speaking to public health and children's services experts.

Its recommendations include supporting the provision of cookery lessons in secondary schools and the council working with boroughs and health bodies to investigate ways in which children learn about food through gardening clubs and allotments.

'This important subject is one of the biggest health issues facing us throughout our lives,' said Cllr Claxton. 'Lessons need to be learnt - and quickly - because figures are on the increase and the cost is horrendous to the health service.

'Obesity costs Cheshire's health service approximately £48m a year because of associated health risks which include asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and orthopaedic disorders.

'Annually obesity has risen by 0.7% in Cheshire. In a practice of 10,000 patients, 60 new adults would be treated for obesity every year.'

Other recommendations include encouraging each school to identify a governor to be responsible for healthy lifestylesl. the county's director of children's services is to be asked to hold a special conference to promote this new responsibility, and innovative ways should be looked at to introduce physical activities into schools. MPs are to be asked to lobby the Government to introduce free activities for pupils during school holidays and a comprehensive system of food labelling on processed foods.