KEEP fit enthusiasts in Manchester may soon be jogging in free trainers provided as part of a war against obesity.

If they agree to buy healthy food and to exercise regularly they will get "loyalty" points to exchange for free sportswear or games equipment.

That could mean that in Manchester trainers could be bought with taxpayer's money. But Health Secretary Alan Johnson said the alternative was to spend millions on treating people who are overweight.

"The taxpayer pays the cost of the NHS and will be paying an extra £50 for obesity if we don't tackle these issues. Incentives are a very important way to do this," said Mr Johnson.

Manchester is one of nine areas where trials will run as part of a £30m "healthy towns" programme. Other areas include Sheffield, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth and all nine will share the government cash.

Schemes

The Manchester scheme will reward people with either free activities or healthy food when they take exercise and other areas will have schemes such as urban gardens, more access to parks and open spaces, and a grow your own fruit and veg scheme.

Today the Health Secretary said that obesity was the biggest health challenge the country faced - every year 9,000 people die prematurely and a third of 11 and 12-year-olds are over weight.

"For the first time we have given nine areas 'healthy town' status which means they must promote healthy living," added Mr Johnson.

Today's announcement is part of the Change4Life campaign to help mothers and fathers and their families eat well, exercise more and live longer. This could include healthy food promotions and recipes in supermarkets, walking campaigns, cycling groups or free swimming lessons for under 16s.

Government research found that 95 per cent of parents agree that obesity is a problem but only 11 per cent of parents with overweight children recognise that they were obese.