A NEW FOREST MP has questioned the impact banning adverts for unhealthy foods would have on childhood obesity.

Sir Desmond Swayne raised the issue in the Commons during the introduction of a bill to prevent the marketing and advertising of food that does not meet certain nutritional requirements.

He suggested focusing on ensuring children remain active during their time at school would be a more productive avenue. Sir Desmond said: “The reality is that children have always been the target of such advertising. I certainly remember the Milky Bar kid, whose unique selling attraction was that the Milky Bars were on him.

"We will have children in school for the best part of 15 years, for five days a week and 40 weeks a year.

“It would be staggeringly unproductive if we did not use that time to sufficiently exercise them to make them thinner.”