Heart group seeks ban on junk food ads for children

The National Heart Alliance has called for a ban on the advertising of unhealthy foods to children.

The alliance also wants the Government to press for an EU-wide ban on TV advertising of such foods as part of efforts to combat growing obesity levels.

Spokesperson Maureen Mulvihill said: "I accept that this is not an easy task, but we must take some steps forward, otherwise we are just going to see a problem that is escalating, that is causing tremendous hardship and will continue to place a burden on our social, economic and health systems."