Council Bans New Takeaway From Opening - Because Residents Are Already Too FAT

A council has banned a new takeaway from opening - because its residents are already too fat.

Businessman Mohammed Rafic applied to open a takeaway selling fish and chips, kebabs and fried chicken in the St Budeaux area of Plymouth.

But officials from the city council have rejected plans for the fast food shop - because some of its population have an 'excess weight' issue, with residents bigger than average.

Among the locals are Stephen Beer, 45, and Michelle Coombe, 43 - a couple who appeared on a Channel 5 documentary claiming they were too fat to work.

The couple had a combined weight of 54 stone and said they were too big to find jobs and instead had to rely on benefits and help from carers day-to-day.

The council has taken the decision to block new takeaways close to the couple's home to avoid others

ending up like them.

Bill Stevens, chair of the council's planning committee, said: "On the main high street in St Budeaux there are quite a lot of takeaways already so it's not as though there isn't already a choice and that's why the Plymouth Plan is taking these steps.’

The Plymouth Plan is a council report that outlines the strategy for overcoming health issues in the city.

Since appearing on a Channel 5 documentary Stephen and Michelle have been on a diet and exercise camp.

Michelle’s weight is now down to 18 stone and Stephen’s has dropped to 25.