The battle of the bulge is gradually being won in Brighton and Hove.

The number of obese children in the city is falling, according to new figures from the National Child Measurement Programme.

They show 7.3% of four and five-year-olds and 13.3% of 10 and 11-year-olds are classed as obese.

This is a drop on last year and well below the national averages of 9.5% and 19.1% respectively.

The number of youngsters found to be overweight is also going down.

Experts said that although progress is being made, work needs to continue to tackle the city’s weight problem.

Director of public health Tom Scanlon said: “Obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of developing various health problems and are also more likely to become obese adults.

“The secret of our success is in working not just with our schools but also with partners such as Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, Albion in the Community and Freedom Leisure.

“It’s not just about working with the children who are obese.

“We want to prevent obesity happening in the first place and sometimes that means working with the whole family.

“Our message is simple – making small changes to what you eat and to how much exercise you get can make a big difference to your weight and your overall health, whatever age you are.”

Schemes promoting healthy eating and activities in the city include baby weaning and toddler sessions, free swimming for under 16s and the Family Shape Up programme.

Toni Lloyd, of Patcham, joined the Family Shape Up programme with her daughter Tabitha, 11, after becoming concerned about the youngster’s rapid growth spurt.

Tabitha is a healthy weight but Ms Lloyd was looking for guidance on what to do to help avoid weight problems in the future.

She said: “The group was really informative and helpful and gives you straightforward facts and information.

“It also encourages the children to understand and be more aware about food and healthy eating.”

In East Sussex, 7.7% of Reception and 16.4% of Year 6 pupils were obese and in West Sussex the figures were 8.5% and 15% respectively.