THE family of an 11-year-old boy branded overweight by NHS Barnsley has received an apology from the Department of Health.

Tom Halton was upset when his parents were sent a letter stating he was outside the healthy weight range for his age. The story, revealed in last week’s Chronicle, caused national outcry and led to an apology by the government department.

But Tom’s parents, Dan and Tracey, of Worsbrough Road, Blacker Hill, said they would not be happy until there was a change in the policy for measuring youngsters.

“They have written and said they were sorry to hear Tom was offended and then fobbed me off with stock phrases,” said Dan, 46. “I wouldn’t consider it a full apology as they haven’t addressed the points I made. I don’t want this to be a flash in the pan where I’m only seen as an angry bloke from Barnsley because it’s not like that.”

Keen biker Tom, who is 5ft 1in and weighs 7st 10lbs, was measured as part of the national school measurement programme. His parents were sent the letter encouraging them to help him become more active and eat healthily or he risked obesity in adulthood.

It suggested Tom would be more susceptible to diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. “The BMI measurement is laughable, the letter even says it’s not a perfect measure so why are they using it? I don’t think taking the weight of children at that age is appropriate, they should be checking their fitness levels,” added the school governor.

“I’m really pleased about all the support we’ve had, everyone has said how ridiculous it was. I fully support the Change 4 Life programme this comes from and the message they are trying to get across but the government needs to come up with a better way of delivering it.”