PLANS to ban junk food adverts before 9pm have been welcomed by a whole food retailer.

Junk food adverts are to be subject to heavier online restrictions and a 9pm television watershed from the end of next year, the Government has announced.

Products affected include chocolate, burgers, soft drinks, cakes, sweets, ice cream, biscuits, sweetened juices, crisps, chips and pizzas. There will also be new rules on online promotion, but firms selling junk food will still be able to run websites.

Maureen Knott, who has owned Ulverston-based natural health food shop Appleseeds with her husband for 25 years, has praised the Government plans.

“I think it’s a really good idea that junk food adverts are only allowed to advertise later at night,” she said.

“There’s a lot more choice nowadays for children to eat healthily. I think these advert spaces should be replaced with ads for healthier food options.

“It’s more of a trend to shop organically now. My grandchildren don’t eat any junk food. There’s a lot of good stuff out there which parents can buy.

“I think banning junk food adverts is a great start to stopping children eating that type of food and getting them to try healthier options.”

The TV restrictions come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson made tackling obesity – which affects more than a quarter of UK adults – a priority for the government.

From the end of next year, TV adverts for junk food – also including breakfast cereals, yoghurts, ready meals, chicken nuggets and battered fish – will be allowed only between 9pm and 5.30am.