HEALTH bosses have already started spending Government cash in an attempt to tackle Huddersfield's obesity crisis.

The Examiner revealed yesterday how almost one in four people in the town that had been checked by their GP were clinically obese.

The Huddersfield primary care trusts have promised to tackle the problem by drawing up an action plan.

They have received money from the Government's Communities for Health project.

The trusts have unveiled new exercise equipment at Royds Hall School in Paddock and also a range of equipment aimed at helping the 23% of Huddersfield people who are obese.

Specialised body fat analysers and blood pressure equipment has also been bought.

Also new software to manage exercise programmes for people referred to the Kirklees Physical Activity and Leisure Exercise Scheme has been bought.

James Williams, deputy director for public health for both Huddersfield PCTs, said: "These initiatives form part of a wider strategy to tackle obesity in Huddersfield.

"We have recently conducted an audit which will provide us with statistics about obesity levels in the town.

"We have also set up a multi-agency group which is developing a comprehensive action plan that will include a wide range of activities to tackle the problem."

Royds Hall headteacher Wendy Bradford said encouraging young people to stay healthy was vital.

She added: "As a specialist college for science we are delighted to work in partnership with the primary care trusts to secure these state-of-the-art facilities.

"Encouraging our students to be interested in and responsible for their fitness, diet and overall wellbeing is an important learning experience in itself.

"The success of this project marks another strand of our ambition to become an excellent school in an excellent community."