MORE than half the population of Halton is obese, a shock report has revealed.

And a study into healthy eating in the borough shows only one in 10 men eat the recommended five pieces of fruit and veg each day.

Now health experts are to concentrate on educating children and young adults in Runcorn and Widnes on how to eat healthily.

The report has also shot down the belief that pollution from the borough's industrial legacy is responsible for high levels of ill health.

It says: 'Many felt pollution was responsible for high levels of poor health.

'However, the findings demonstrate the social, economic and lifestyle factors account for high rates of illness and death.'

The report also highlights the plight of Halton school-children who find it hard to concentrate in class due to an inadequate diet.

Now primary schools are to be asked to take part in a pilot programme designed to improve concentration through better nutrition.

The report says: 'Schools should adopt a robust approach of eliminating junk and highly processed ingredients and products from food and drink consumed at school.

'After a night without food, if a child has no proper breakfast, the body starts to react with a starvation response.

'Metabolism slows down and this impairs a person's powers of concentration.'

The report will form the centrepiece of the council's plans for the next five years to improve the health of the borough.

It follows on from the State of The Borough report which revealed that Halton has one of the highest levels of infant mortality in England and Wales and tops the league for cancers and heart disease.