BARNSLEY residents are less active compared to regional and national averages.

The percentage of adults - aged 19 and above - who achieve 150 minutes of physical activity per week stands at 60.9 per cent.

It is less than the regional average of 64.6 per cent and 66 per cent nationally.

A council report said: “All of the 21 wards in Barnsley have a higher rate of obesity than England’s rate.

“The rates of excess weight in children in Barnsley are 18 per cent for four to five year olds, and 32.1 per cent for ten to 11 year olds.

“Active transport modes such as walking and cycling offer significant opportunity to increase activity levels and, in doing so, improve overall health and wellbeing and reduce obesity, whilst also offering an affordable and inclusive means of transportation.”