Obesity levels are rising across East Anglia, a new report revealing challenges facing the region's health chiefs has shown.

There were 6,232 admissions to Norfolk's three main hospitals in 2014/15 where obesity was the main reason for a person being admitted or was a secondary factor.

The figure has risen by 25pc in just a year, up from 4,957 in 2013/14, and in 2014/15 the figure equates to 710 in every 100,000 figure.

In Suffolk the figure is even more concerning, with 7,365 admissions in 2014/15, a 36pc increase on the 2013/14 figure of 5,399. Admissions were lower in Cambridgeshire, with 4,393 in 2014/15, up from 3,397.

In Norfolk, the highest number of admissions came from west Norfolk with 2,353, followed by Great Yarmouth with 1,521 in 2014/15.

The lowest number of admissions was in north Norfolk with 863, followed by Norwich with 893.

The report was published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Dr Louise Smith, director of public health at Norfolk County Council, said: 'Tackling obesity and encouraging healthy lifestyles among our residents continues to be one of the priorities in Norfolk's Public Health strategy.

'Obesity can lead to life-threatening diseases – from heart disease and stroke, to cancer and type 2 diabetes.

'It can also create other problems - like social isolation and inequality.

'That's why, working with our partners in the NHS, with local councils and voluntary groups and charities, Norfolk's strategic public health framework is committed to continue to concentrate on promoting and delivering an extremely wide range of activities to address obesity in our county.'