A BAN on food vans trading near North Lanarkshire schools will come into force on June 1.

Last month, the council decided no mobile food outlets will be able to operate within 250 metres of secondary school boundaries.

Glasgow banned food vansfrom trading within 300m of senior school boundaries in 2009.

North Lanarkshire councillor William Hogg said: "The condition will apply to new applicants for street traders' licences."

Existing licence holders will be sent letters telling them of the change in the rules.

The ban was proposed by education convener Jim Logue who said: "This is welcome news and something I have been actively campaigning to see happen for a number of years.

"Scotland is facing an obesity crisis and we must do all we can to reverse the current trends.

"Of course, this measure alone won't do that but it does send out a clear message this authority takes its responsibility seriously when it comes to looking after the health of your young people.

"We will continue to work in our schools and leisure facilities to provide pupils with the opportunity to be active, by providing a wide range of exciting and stimulating opportunities which we hope they will adopt throughout their lives."

The exclusion zones will be monitored by the council's licensing enforcement officers.

Mr Logue added: "We have a moral duty to do everything we can to look after our children's health.

"We accept this is not a complete solution to the problem of obesity but we can't sit on our hands here.

"We have invested huge amounts in providing great meals in schools, expanded our award-wining breakfast clubs and have the best sports facilities.

"It makes no sense to continue to have pupils queuing up at snack vans when there are better and healthier options available in school.

"Pupils who eat nutritious food are happier and healthier in the short term and we know in the longer term will make a better contribution to a healthier country."

In 2008 Glasgow City Council banned fast food vans from outside its schools.

The council also introduced healthy eating Fuel Zones in schools.

Last year a scheme introduced by caterer Cordia saw youngsters earn points from their school meals which could be swapped for gym memberships, gift vouchers and cinema tickets.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtims.co.uk