MANCHESTER is in line to become the nation's junk food capital, with schoolchildren facing daily temptations from shops.

They face one of the highest concentrations of junk food outlets in the country, according to a government healthy eating body.

Pupils have to pass chippies and kebab shops as they walk to and from schools, a study by the School Food Trust found.

There are 813 licensed takeaway and fast food outlets in Manchester - which is equivalent to 36 for every secondary school in the city.

This is far higher than the national average of 23 and in contrast to nearby cities such as Liverpool where there are only 24 outlets per school. Although the study did not look at exactly how many takeaways were in close proximity to the schools, its authors argued that the sheer numbers was a temptation for children.

The government-funded body, headed by celebrity chef Pru Leith, is lobbying for every secondary school to adopt a complete ban on pupils leaving school grounds during lunch break.

Manchester was the largest urban area to score badly. Out of 150 local authorities only five other areas - including Brighton and Blackpool - had higher concentrations of chippies, pizzerias, and kebab takeaways.

Highest concentration

Bolton had the second highest concentration of outlets in the region, with 30 per secondary school, followed by Stockport where there were 29.

Tameside was the least tempting authority in Greater Manchester with 18 junk food outlets, closely followed by Trafford on 20.

Many directly targeted schools by offering specially-designed lunch menus at cut prices.

But teachers complained that the study over-simplified the problem.

Ian Fenn, headteacher of Burnage High School for Boys, which has had a `stay in school' policy for six years, suggested the vast number of fast food outlets was linked to the city's massive student population rather than school children.

He said: "We, along with a number of schools, have kept our pupils in schools for the last few years to encourage children to take the healthy options in our canteen.

"While children are still buying food before and after they come to school, to draw a direct link between the number of fast food shops and their eating is fatuous.

"The reason Manchester has so many is because it is one of the biggest student cities in the country and most of the outlets are situated near the universities."

But he admitted that there had been a 20 per cent fall in school meals since the healthy eating revolution 18 months ago, with many youngsters choosing to buy food before or after the school day.

New government guidelines mean schools can only serve chips once a week. Fizzy drinks and chocolate bars are also banned.