Parents will have something to shout about during next year's school holidays after an activity scheme was given a 35 per cent price hike.

The decision by Elmbridge Council's cabinet will mean the cost of a child attending the Shout holiday activity scheme for a week will rise from £80 to £108 next year.

The Shout programme combines games, arts and crafts, sports, treasure hunts and themed activity days aimed at keeping the kids amused over the school holidays.

Elmbridge Council says the price increase is based on a value for money report and reflects the cost of running the service. It also said the new charges were in line with the fees paid for holiday schemes in other boroughs.

A comparison with neighbouring boroughs shows that the nearest like-for-like activity scheme in Tandridge charges £85 per child.

This year 467 places on the Shout scheme were filled, 90 per cent of all available places.

The extra charges will generate an additional £20,000 for the 2008/09 financial year.

It comes on the back of a influential report by Government scientists that suggested 25 per cent of children could be obese by 2050 if action is not taken.