In Manchester, a quarter of 10 and 11-year-olds are dangerously overweight (posed by model)
Parents face being banned from the school run as part of a controversial attempt to combat childhood obesity.
Health chiefs hope introducing residents-only parking areas near schools will encourage pupils to walk or cycle instead.
The plans were criticised as 'absolute nonsense' by parents' groups, who claim the Government is at fault for the rise in overweight youngsters.
They point to physical exercise classes being cut from the national curriculum and school playing fields being sold off.
Margaret Morrissey, founder of parentsoutloud.com and former chairman of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: 'Children are not obese because they are driven to school and walking a mile to school every day is not going to make any real difference.'
The proposals have been drawn up by the Greater Manchester Health Commission and could be rolled out nationwide.
