NEW data reveals that more than two thirds of people in the North-East are overweight or obese.

Figures published by Public Health England highlight for the first time the variation in the numbers of people overweight or obese across the country.

In the North-East the range is from 60.3 per cent to 72.5 per cent depending on the local authority, with the regional average being 68 per cent - above the national average of 63.8 per cent.

County Durham had the highest percentage of overweight or obese people in the region while Newcastle has the lowest.

In Darlington the rate was 62.9 per cent, in Stockton it was 63.6 per cent and in Redcar it was 70.9 per cent.

Elsewhere in the region, the percentage was 68.4 per cent in Middlesbrough and 68.5 per cent in Hartlepool.

In North Yorkshire, the figure was 67.9 per cent.

Officials said that while the percentages were high, the rate of increase in overweight and obese adults had slowed in recent years and in children, levels were stabilising.

Public Health England North-East centre director Dr Roberta Marshall said there was no simple solution to reducing obesity.

She added: “It is an issue that requires action at national, local, family and individual level.

“Local authorities are ideally placed to develop co-ordinated action across their departments, services and partner organisations to tackle overweight and obesity in the local population.

“This new data will enable local councils to monitor progress towards the national ambition of achieving a downward trend in excess weight by 2020.”