The number of children and young people being treated for Type 2 diabetes has increased by 40% in the last four years, new figures have revealed.

The figures show that 715 children and young people received care for Type 2 diabetes in 2016/17, of which nearly 80% were also obese.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said the increase underlines the 'critical' need to tackle the childhood obesity crisis.

It also warned more needs to be done to reach out to minority ethnic groups as nearly half of those receiving care for the condition were black or Asian.

'These figures are a sad indictment of how we have collectively failed as a society to tackle childhood obesity, one of the biggest health challenges we face,' said cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.

'Type 2 diabetes typically develops in adults over the age of 40, so while still rare in children, it is extremely worrying that we are seeing more young people develop the condition.'

The LGA is calling on the Government to reverse the £600m cut to public health funding and for specialised support for the most seriously obese children.