A group representing almost every GP in Britain wants a tax on fizzy drinks help tackle obesity . They want the Government to introduce a 20% levy on sugary drinks – with the profits being used to fund weight management projects.

They say almost a quarter of the population is now obese. Professor Terence Stephenson, who helped compile today’s report, says pop is the ultimate “bad food”.

But the fizzy drinks industry says it’s wrong to demonise the odd can of cola or glass of lemonade. Gavin Partington, from the British Soft Drinks Association, says many drinks manufacturers have already cut sugar levels and more tax isn’t the way to go.

So how do we tackle Britain’s obesity epidemic? I’ve been in search of the answer in the North East: