Takeaway for every 1000 people in city

In the study, experts found there was a link between the number of fast food outlets in Leeds and the likelihood of local children becoming obese.

Researchers also found fast food shops were more likely to open in areas of higher deprivation.

The number of fast food outlets per person in the city is higher even than the United States and could give further ammunition to efforts by councils, schools and health experts to look at the impact of takeaways on child health.

The child obesity epidemic has led to warnings of an upsurge in complications in future including heart disease and diabetes.

Latest figures show around one in six youngsters aged between two and 15 are obese in England and Wales. In Leeds, checks on 33,000 children in the city found 27 per cent were overweight or obese and 13 per cent obese.

The study by experts from Leeds University, published in the journal Health & Place, found there were more than 700 fast food outlets in the city. Children living in deprived areas had more outlets in their area.

Authors of the study Lorna Fraser and Kimberley Edwards say the findings could be used by planners considering the opening of new outlets, in particular in areas of high deprivation.