MERSEYTRAVEL are calling on parents to leave their cars at home more often, following a report that many British children are obese before they even start school.

Merseytravel Chair, Councillor Mark Dowd, said: "Some parents are almost killing their kids with kindness. Through a bizarre double logic they fear the streets and then drive their kids to school, adding to car choked streets. Children need clean air and exercise to grow up healthy and strong.

"By walking and cycling with parents and friends, travelling by bus or train, they learn to socialise and communicate with the world around them. Trapped in the cocoon of the parental car they are isolated. We have to learn to set our children free."

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