Junk food ban to beat child obesity

Vending machines selling chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks will be banned under moves to outlaw junk food in schools, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced.

Headteachers condemned the proposed ban, warning that many parents would simply send their children to school with junk food in their lunch boxes instead.

From September 2006, tougher new rules will be brought in limiting the amount of sugar, fat and salt in school meals.

Once the law is changed, vending machines will have to stock items such as milk, bottled water and fresh fruit instead of sweets and crisps.