LOCAL health chiefs are calling for the government to introduce a ban on fast food advertisements before the watershed and tougher action on low-priced alcohol deals.

A draft letter intended to be sent to Health Secretary Matt Hancock urges national action over the issue.

Members of Oxfordshire's Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Improvement Board, tasked with improving health in the county, hope the appeal can help to tackle alcohol-related ill health and obesity levels in the county - both of which have been identified as a priority.

The latest figures show hospital admissions in Oxfordshire for alcohol-specific conditions in under 18s are worse than the national average, while around 3.4 per cent of children are classed as obese buy the time they reach Year 6.

The letter is signed by leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth, clinical chair of Oxfordshire CCG, Kiren Collison, and Cherwell District Council executive member for Health and Wellbeing Andrew McHugh.

It calls for a minimum alcohol unit pricing, adding: "We would welcome a national approach to curtailing advertising and promotion of “unhealthy” foods.

"The impact of advertising on children and families is well documented and a policy change would give a boost to our local efforts to establish a Whole System Approach to obesity."