Barnsley Council has introduced a high fat salt or sugar (HFSS) policy that restricts so called unhealthy food and drink advertising at council owned or leased sites.

The authority claim that this measure is part of an overall aim to reduce obesity, both locally and as part of a nationwide government strategy.

Bristol City Council and several London boroughs have already implemented similar measures.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine claim that research shows a similar policy implemented on the Transport for London (TfL) network is working well. According to the research, there was an estimated 6.7% decrease in average weekly household purchases of energy from HFSS products, and the average weekly purchases of chocolate and sweets fell by 19.4%.

Food charity, Sustain, who advised the Mayor of London’s team on the TfL policy and has been working with over 80 local authorities across the country to introduce “local, healthier advertising policies” said it was “delighted” to work with Barnsley Council and hoped it would “inspire other areas to take a stand for children’s health”.

Julia Burrows, director of Public Health, said: “We want everyone in Barnsley to have the best possible chance of enjoying life in good physical and mental health. This guidance note is just one element of what we’re doing to make it easier to be healthy.

“We’re working with businesses who already advertise with us and will work collaboratively with any future businesses to make sure they can advertise healthy food and drink with us. We’re hoping this will be the first step in other organisations in Barnsley adopting a similar policy.”