SOME of advertising's best known cartoon creations came under attack today for failing to promote healthy eating.

Tony the Tiger, Moo the Dairylea cow and Snap, Crackle and Pop were among those highlighted in a Which? report for not helping in the fight against childhood obesity.

Out of 19 children's food company cartoon favourites not one was found to promote healthier products, researchers for the consumer campaign group found.

The Cartoon League Table was compiled by Which? after a survey found that two-thirds of people believe food companies should not be allowed to use popular characters to advertise unhealthy food.

Among the "cartoon baddies" highlighted by researchers was Moo the Dairylea cow. Which? said manufacturer Kraft's cartoon creation was present across much of Dairylea packaging. But they pointed out that the cheese products are often high in saturated fat and salt.

Dairylea Lunchables chicken n' cheese wraps contain more than a third of the maximum amount of salt a seven to 10-year old should consume, Which? said.

Tony the Tiger, famed for his gr-r-r-eat!' catchphrase, was also ticked off by the watchdog.

The long-serving tiger's product Frosties contain over a third sugar, Which? noted.

The Honey Monster, Coco the Coco Pops monkey and Snap, Crackle and Pop, also figured among the breakfast cereal characters not doing enough to promote healthy eating.

Campaigners called for the advertising industry to amend the existing self-regulatory CAP and BCAP codes to encourage firms to use popular characters to help in the fight against childhood obesity and diet-related disease.

Clare Corbett, food campaigner at Which?, said: "Cartoons are great fun for kids. We definitely don't want to see the end of popular characters like Tony the Tiger and the Honey Monster, but we do want to see them promoting healthier products.

"If the industry fails to act, the Government must step in."