CHILDREN'S meals sold at major leisure attractions have `overwhelmingly' high levels of fat, salt and sugar.

Food contains levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and protein far in excess of recommended guidelines, according to the Local Government Association.

Environmental health and trading standards officers tested 397 children's meals at 220 activity centres including theme parks, wildlife parks, museums, leisure centres, heritage sites and farm parks.

None of the meals complied with the School Food Trust recommendations for healthier food designed to tackle Britain's growing child obesity problem.

Some meals showed `shocking' levels of fat, salt and sugar.

The most unhealthy meals had 300 per cent more fat than the accepted limit.

One meal contained 45.6 grams of saturated fat, 600 per cent more than the SFT's limit.

Others had 500 per cent more protein and 350 per cent more salt than SFT guidelines.

More fat

Children's meals at theme parks contained on average more fat, saturated fat, protein and salt than those sold at wildlife parks, museums, leisure centres, heritage sites and outdoor farm parks.

Attractions in the East Midlands sold the unhealthiest food of the six regions tested.

Overall, the meals had an average of 10 per cent more fat, 4 per cent more saturated fat and 44 per cent more salt than the SFT recommends. One in 10 six-year-olds are obese, while the number of obese children has doubled since 1982.

The LGA called on parks to give parents the option of buying healthy meals for children.

It also wants salt in shakers and sachets removed from park restaurants, free drinking water offered alongside soft drinks and a reduction in the amount of fried foods on menus.

The report concluded: "The stark reality is that none of the 397 meals fully complied with all six requirements of the School Food Trust.

"School food has significantly changed over the last few years and it is time that the hospitality industry introduced similar changes to ensure that the valuable contribution that these guidelines have made is not undermined outside schools."

A spokesman for the owners of Alton Towers said: "We can do out part in improving diet by regularly reviewing our menu choices in line with changing tastes and making sure our most popular dishes are cooked well, using fresh ingredients wherever possible."