London, Nov 12 As part of a project to tackle bad diets, overweight Britons are to be given discount vouchers for fish and chips shops - if they order 'healthy options'.

In the 25,000-pound taxpayer-funded project, more than 40,000 households in Basildon, Essex, an overweight hotspot, have been given the 50 per cent off coupons.

However, the scheme, which involves a variety of eateries, was branded a waste of money.

"The NHS should be spending its money subsidising healthy food, not encouraging people to go to the fish and chip shop," the Daily Express quoted Tam Fry, of the Nation Obesity Forum, as saying.

Celebrity chef Mark Baumann will provide cooking lessons to the nine restaurants and cafes involved to encourage them to put healthy options on their menus. (ANI)