THREE Oxfordshire children under 16 have been put into care in the last five years because they were morbidly obese, according to new figures.

Statistics reported by the Daily Mirror using Freedom of Information laws revealed 74 children had been placed in care in England, Scotland and Wales in that period.

The newspaper approached 206 local authorities in Britain. It found between 26 and 46 morbidly obese children were taken in by social services from the 128 that provided proper responses.

After assessing the potential figure from remaining councils, the newspaper said the total number could be as many as 74.