Health secretary Alan Johnson has unveiled a series of initiatives to ward off a looming obesity epidemic, according to The Independent.

Nine English towns have been chosen to try out the schemes as part of the £30 million Healthy Towns programme, which include a loyalty card offering consumers points for buying healthy food and taking part in exercise. The points can be exchanged for free sportswear or games equipment.

Under the plans, town centres will be re-designed to encourage walking and cycling and social housing tenants will be offered a grow-your-own fruit and vegetable scheme.

The Foresight report, commissioned by the government and published last year, warned that nine out of 10 British adults and two-thirds of children will be overweight or obese by 2050 unless action is taken, said the newspaper.