Calls for skinny fashion models to be ditched in favour of fatter versions have been described as "EU meddling".

UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall spoke out today after the Juvin Report - which recommends fatter models be used in advertising - was passed at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Just when will the EU learn to stop interfering in everyone's lives? The Juvin Report calls on ad agencies to reconsider the promotion of skinny models," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Euro MP for the North West.

"I am certainly not in favour of the promotion of anorexia and similar eating problems, but I just don't think it is the role of the European Parliament to call on media professionals to stop using models of a specific proportion.

"I am sure media professionals and consumers are well able to make up their own minds without the dictation or encouragement of the European Union.

"Let's face it obesity is a far greater problem in the UK than anorexia and bulimia so perhaps we should actually be encouraging slim line models to spur on dieters.

"And in future years as the obesity problem becomes an even weightier issue will the EU interfere again and ban ad agencies from using fat models?

"In my view the EU Parliament sticking its nose in and calling for the non-use of skinny models, just shows how silly this whole charade has become," added Mr Nuttall.