CELEBRITY Jamie Oliver’s campaign for a sugar tax to combat childhood obesity has been supported by Halton Council.

Their move follows a report by Public Health England which suggests ways to help reduce the huge sugar consumption.

The health watchdog recommends restrictions on the marketing of high sugar products and encouraging manufacturers to voluntarily include more ingredient details on their labels.

The council says it is the first time evidence on the subject has been collated and assessed.

The report urges a reduction in adverts of high sugar food and drink products to children and adults across all media including digital platforms and through sponsorship.

A price rise of 10-20 per cent on high sugar products, particularly full sugar soft drinks is being suggested.

Similar sugar taxes in other countries have helped to reduce obesity.

Halton Cllr Marie Wright, board member for health and wellbeing, said: "Halton Council welcomes the actions in the report.

“Halton’s public health team has been working for many years to change attitudes to sugar through its Fit 4 Life programme and programmes such as Healthitude which run in schools and our Fresh Start course for adults.

“People often don’t realise just how much sugar is in the food and drink they consume and how much damage it can do to your health.”

She said there are 15 spoons of sugar in some energy drinks.

Schemes such as Fit 4 Life, Healthitude and Fresh Start aim to get children and adults to think twice before reaching for a sugary drink or snack.

A 500ml bottle of cola for can contain as much as 13 teaspoons of sugar, more than twice the recommended daily limit for a seven to 10- year old child.