Letters are being sent to parents across Brighton and Hove telling them whether their child is overweight or not.

Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust is targeting parents of children who have just finished Year 6 and are preparing to go on to secondary school.

The move is part of the National Child Measurement Programme where children in every school in the country are weighed in Reception and Year 6.

Parents of children who are overweight are given advice and referred to a choice of food and exercise services commissioned by the local NHS and Brighton and Hove City Council.

Health bosses claim the intention is to support parents to make important lifestyle changes to help their child reach a healthy weight.

PCT public health development manager Lydie Lawrence said: “ Modern living can really make it hard for children to maintain a healthy weight.

“If this trend continues, nine out of ten children may grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies which puts them at greater risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease as adults.

“I hope the measurement programme gives parents a positive opportunity to make a difference to their child’s future.”

Figures from the 2007/08 measurement programme show that 21% of reception children and 31% of year 6 children were overweight.

Results are used to held develop services aimed at getting children more active including free swimming, cycling to school, cooking skills, organised walks, community sports events and the ten week mind, exercise and nutrition programme for children aged two to 13.