The money, which is part of a £6 million Scottish Government programme, will fund new family-focused treatment programmes for overweight kids between five and 15.

In January, The Press revealed the Kingdom's primary one pupils are still the fattest in Scotland, with 23.7 per cent of youngsters classed as overweight in 2006-7.

NHS Fife has welcomed the extra funding, which will help build on the work currently under way to cut obesity.

A spokesman said: "The issue around overweight children is not just a concern for Fife, there are challenges for Scotland as a whole.

"There are clearly wider societal issues to consider with regard to tackling the issue of overweight children.

"As part of its response, NHS Fife is working with others to help create a healthy environment for children, particularly in a nursery and school setting, to help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

"There are various projects on-going in Fife to give children the skills to make healthy choices, which include healthy tuck shops, the fruit in schools initiative and exercise co-ordinators working with schools and the community."

The programmes which will be created by this funding are designed to engage youngsters in practical and educational sessions which will ultimately address the psychological, social and behavioural causes of weight gain.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced the cash at an international health conference held in Edinburgh on Monday and she hopes it will help at least 20,000 overweight and obese children in Scotland.

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