A school nutrition bill banning soda and junk food has been passed in Connecticut in a bid to reduce the growing obesity problem.

The legislation has been described by experts as the strictest school nutrition bill in the country.

Under the new ban most fizzy drinks and snacks in school cafeterias and merchandising machines will be forbidden.

Schools will not be able to sell food if it is considered unhealthy by the state Education Department.

The bill applies to all schools with children up to the age of 17 and many of them fear that it will result in them losing profits.

Although the bill is widely supported among parents, many soft drinks manufacturers are fiercely opposed to it.

Soft drinks and junk food snacks will still be allowed to be sold during after-school activities.

The fizzy drinks ban is expected to come into effect in July while the list of approved snacks will be introduced by January.