Sadiq Khan plans to ban junk food adverts on all Transport for London networks as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity.

The Mayor of London called child obesity in London a “ticking time bomb” and said he was determined to act.

He said: “If we don’t take bold steps against it we are not doing right by our young people as well as placing a huge strain on our already pressurised health service in years to come.

“I’m determined to do all I can to tackle this issue with the powers I have and help Londoners make healthy food choices for themselves and their families. That is why I’m proposing to ban adverts for harmful junk food from our entire Tube and bus network.

“I want to reduce the influence and pressure that can be put on children and families to make unhealthy choices.”

According to the NHS over 40 per cent off children aged 10 and 11 are overweight or obese in London – a number Mr Khan wants to reduce.

The plans come as part of the Mayor’s draft London Food Strategy which looks at how to give Londoner’s access to healthy and affordable food.

It also includes plans to ban new hot food takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools and encouraging companies to pay Londoners the living wage so they can afford healthy food.

The move was welcomed by a number of health professionals including the President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Professor Russell Viner and Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer prevention, Alison Cox.

Transport for London also welcomed Mr Khan’s plans, saying that the transport network plays a crucial role in the health of all Londoners.

Director of Transport Strategy at TfL, Lilli Matson, said: “Asking Londoners what they think about only allowing healthier foods and drink to be advertised on our network, along with our work to encourage people to lead a more active lifestyle, are just some of the ways we are supporting the Mayor’s transport strategy to help make our city a healthier place for people to live in, work and visit.”