Children are eating too much salt because of their consumption of processed foods such as burgers and crisps according to a report from the food standards agency (FSA).

It warned that most children eat more salt than recommended and could be facing problems come later life. Boys aged four - six are consuming almost twice the recommended level for their age. Three quarters of all the salt consumed is in processed foods.

The FSA accepts that its estimates are probably too low because they do not include salt added during cooking.

Professor Sir Liam McDonald suggested that the level of salt consumed must be cut and it is vital to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables.