SHOCK figures which have exposed the huge scale of takeaways in East Lancashire and of its obesity problem has sparked a strong reaction from readers.

Yesterday, we revealed how Blackburn with Darwen has the highest proportion of fast food takeaways in England, while we also reported that Burnley has an above average two-thirds of adults who are overweight or obese.

And some 38 per cent of all food retail outlets in Blackburn with Darwen sell high-calorie fast food against a national average of 26 per cent, while the borough has a staggering 236 takeaways, an increase of 24 per cent since 2014,

While the picture is not much better in the boroughs of Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and Ribble Valley, which all recorded high figures for takeaway numbers and overweight and obese adults.

The figures have sparked 'concern' amongst public health bosses, with Blackburn with Darwen's health chief saying the authority is working hard to 'strike the correct balance of fast food outlets in the borough'.

The story has garnered a huge reaction online with dozens of readers airing their views on the piece on Facebook.

Some have blamed the councils for not doing enough to tackle obesity and allowing more takeaways to be opened, while others have said takeaways are just meeting a growing demand and that it is down to individual choice.

Bianca-Louise Bradley said: "No one is being force fed takeaways, they have a choice."

Bhavesh Bhagat agreed, saying: "No one is pushed to go and eat a takeaway."

But Karen Cannon said: "The council are to blame, as they allow the licences and never say no.

"There's been too many takeaways in Blackburn for years and they keep coming, people could also decide not to go to them as well though."

While Laura Howarth said: "Supply and demand."

Ste Topping added: "No one's making these people eat fast food, it doesn't take an Einstein to work out what food is good for you."