PARENTS are being urged to help their children eat less sugar.

Kirklees Council is encouraging families in the Spen Valley to cut back on the amount of sugar children eat and drink by backing a Public Health England Change4Life campaign.

The scheme will allow people to sign up to receive practical, easy-to-follow hints, tips, advice and recipes.

Acting head of public health Rachel Spencer Henshall said: “Excess sugar leads to excess calories and a build-up of fat in the body, and increases our risk of developing dangerous conditions including cancer and type 2 diabetes. By the time children leave primary school, one in three carries excess weight. With this in mind, we fully support the sugar swap campaign.”

Parents who want to talk about their child’s weight can speak to the START team on (01484) 234096.