NEW figures reveal that Hartlepool has the biggest proportion of obese 11-year-olds in the region.

They show that by the time children leave the town's primary schools, just under one in four is classed as obese, according to their body mass index (BMI).

Statistics for September 2005 to July 2006, when 1,246 year six pupils were tested, show that 23.35 per cent were obese, compared to the regional average of 19.6 per cent.

A spokesman for Hartlepool Council said: "Clearly parents have the key role to play in influencing their children's lifestyle habits, but the council is certainly playing it's part to encourage families and youngsters to eat healthily and to exercise."

Carole Johnson, health development team leader for Hartlepool Primary Care Trust, said too many youngsters were becoming couch potatoes.

She said: "At home, children spend a lot more time watching TV and playing computer games because parents are afraid to let them out to play.

"I think that there is a correlation between TV watching and obesity."

In stark contrast to the figures for primary school leavers, PCT figures show Hartlepool's reception aged children - four and five year-olds - have the lowest percentage of overweight children in the North-East, at 8.65 per cent, and the second lowest percentage of obese children - 9.46 per cent.

Mrs Johnson said: "School meals have got a lot better. A great deal of time and effort goes into providing a nutritious meal at school, but you can't force them to eat it, and schools have no control over what's in packed lunches."

She added: "We have seen a lot of improvements in the last two years, and are hoping to see them reflected in this year's figures."