A fast food league table for the east of England shows Great Yarmouth has the most outlets per head of population in the region.

The table from Public Health England shows there were 164 outlets in the borough, equating to 165.7 outlets per 100,000 population.

Norwich was second on the regional list with 214 outlets, an outlet rate per 100,000 population statistic of 153.

Forest Heath was sixth on the list, North Norfolk was seventh on the list and Waveney was ninth.

The lowest Norfolk region was Broadland with 61 outlets, a proportion rate of 47.9 per 100,000 population.

However Great Yarmouth Borough Council has said the figures are skewed as fast food outlets are geared to the seafront and the town’s population doubles during the holiday season.

A statement from the council said: “While the figures quoted only take into account resident population, Great Yarmouth’s fast food outlets are concentrated around the seafronts and their very existence and number is due to custom from tourists from outside the borough. Visitors effectively double the borough’s population during the summer.

“Fish and chips and ice cream are traditional treats for seaside visitors, playing an important role in the local tourism economy that supports jobs and contributes to the wellbeing of many residents.”

The list, which is nearly 50 strong, includes but is not exclusive to burger bars, kebab and chicken shops, fish and chip shops, pizza outlets and mobile catering units.

Public Health England say the overall fast food hotspot figures show those outlets account for more than a quarter of all eateries, with the organisation concerned it will impact on the growing child obesity crisis.

Its figures have led to Dr Simon How, health and wellbeing programme leader at Public Health East, calling for local authorities to use powers to curtail the reach of fast food outlets.

He said: “Local authorities have the power to shape our environment and influence us to make healthier decisions, which is why we are calling for them to restrict fast food outlets 400 metres from where children gather – this includes schools, community centres, parks, playgrounds and other open spaces – as a way to tackle childhood obesity.”

THE LIST FOR OUR REGION

Here is the fastfood hot spot list for our region.

The first figure for each district or borough relates to the number of fast food outlets.

The second figure is the rate of fast food outlets per 100,000 population

Great Yarmouth

164

165.7

Norwich

214

153.0

Forest Heath

69

109.0

North Norfolk

109

105.2

Waveney

118

100.7

Fenland

92

92.3

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

133

87.6

St Edmundsbury

83

73.2

East Cambridgeshire

62

70.3

Suffolk Coastal

87

68.1

Breckland

87

63.4

South Norfolk

83

62.4

Mid Suffolk

56

55.6

Broadland

61

47.9