PARENTS were today warned to be on their guard against the growing threat of diabetes in overweight children.

Experts at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary urged the importance of healthy diets and exercise.

Sarah Schorah, paediatric diabetes nurse specialist for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, said problems were on the rise.

She added: "Increasingly, we are treating overweight young people with Type 2 diabetes, something that was almost unheard of a few years ago.

"Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to a poor diet and lack of exercise and, in children in particular, is attributed to obesity."

Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin- dependent diabetes.

Soaring levels of obesity are causing more and more children to be diagnosed with Type 2, which used to only affect middle-aged adults.

Ms Schorah said: "Individuals with Type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, eye and kidney problems, things we certainly don't want to see in young children."

Diabetes team have been visiting schools throughout Huddersfield to educate children about the importance of eating healthily and doing regular exercise.