More than half of adult Kingstonians are overweight or obese, official figures show.

Chubby residents could be at increased risk of heart disease and cancers, according to Public Health England.

The body’s statistics show 55.1 per cent of adults in the borough are overweight or obese.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, its London regional director, said: “There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity. It is an issue that requires action at national, local, family and individual level.

“This new data will enable local authorities to monitor progress towards our shared ambition of achieving a downward trend in excess weight by 2020.”

The authority said problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS more than £5bn each year.