£300,000 is spent on firemen lifting the obese in London

THE London fire brigade is facing a bill of nearly £300,000 for rescuing obese people.

New figures show fire crews were called to 128 emergencies in the last five years, including those in NHS hospitals. The total cost of lifting excessively overweight patients trapped in beds, baths or chairs was £292,992.

This also includes the cost of moving people from their homes when they have become too fat to walk. The Conservatives, who obtained these figures, warned they showed how rising obesity is putting pressure on emergency services. Shadow health minister and former firefighter Mike Penning said the figures "show the severe strain the growing obesity epidemic is putting our emergency services under". He added: "Labour's complacent attitude has meant that years have been wasted in our bid to deal with this problem."

A quarter of adults and 16 per cent of children are now obese and tackling the crisis has become a major issue. The total cost in England of lifting obese people in the past five years was £4 million. One fire engine a day in Britain is needed because paramedics are unable to move people. The NHS has spent £44 million on specialist equipment for the obese in recent years. London hospitals have widened doors and strengthened lifts and operating tables.