NEW York City may follow the Waltham Forest's lead and ban new fast-food restaurants near schools.

Big Apple councillor Eric Gioia is said to have prepared legislation which would ban takeaways from being opened within 500ft of any school in the city.

Mr Giola cited a joint study by Columbia University and the University of California, which reportedly shows children studying close to fast food restaurants have a greater chance of becoming obese.

Waltham Forest Council have changed planning guidance to enable the authority to prevent certain types of new food outlets from opening close to schools, parks and youth centres.

However, the authority has admitted it is unclear whether the ban would survive a legal challenge.

Bamboo Joint in Leytonstone High Road became the first restaurant to be closed down following the introduction of the new rules.

Staff and customers held a protest at the closure of the business, which has been operating for five years, claiming it does not sell unhealthy food and has been unfairly singled out.