Because Damien and Charlotte Hall are unable have children of their own they approached Leeds City Council about adoption.

But they were told that Mr Hall's weight, at 24-and-a-half stone, made him morbidly obese, with a body mass index - or BMI - of more than 42.

In a letter, the council told them his BMI must be below 40 before the couple could be considered as potential parents because of a risk he could become ill or even die.

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Mrs Hall, 31, a nanny, has been married to Mr Hall, 37, for 11 years. They have been a couple for 14 years.

Mr Hall works in a call centre and at six foot one says he knows he is overweight.

"It's hard to lose weight under pressure," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Victoria Derbyshire programme.

"I'm not a couch potato and I don't sit eating takeaways every night.
"I just feel as though we were only judged on my weight and not all the other good things about us.

"We don't drink or smoke and we could give a child a happy and safe home."

The letter the couple were sent by Leeds City Council said: "I am writing to confirm that we are unable to progress an application from you at this time.

"This is due to the concerns that the medical advisers have expressed regarding Mr Hall's weight."

The letter added: "We will require Mr Hall to have a further medical in six months' time which will be considered by our medical advisor.

"As you are aware the Adoption Panel are unlikely to approve applicants with a BMI over 40 because of the long term health risks. It would therefore be to your advantage to begin the assessment with an up to date medical where your BMI is clearly recorded as being under 40 and to demonstrate that you are able to maintain this weight loss over the period of the assessment.

"I would be grateful if you could contact me when you feel you are ready to continue with the process taking into account the above advice."

Mrs Hall, of Leeds, said the couple was very shocked when they received the letter. "I think it's just gutting.

"We had an inkling they'd say something about (his) weight but to be turned down flatly just on that, it's just harsh.

"My husband has a full-time job and is very active.

"He walks our dog at least twice a day and doesn't feel unfit or unwell.

"You've got a child in care who's going to get up tomorrow morning not knowing where it's going and we're here ready to take a child on.

"They seem to be saying it's better for them to be in care and being shoved from pillar to post just in case Damien dies."

Mr Hall added: "The bottom line is I'm too fat."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it did not issue guidance on maximum weight for potential adopters to local authorities.

In a statement the council said: "The council's adoption service has a legal responsibility to ensure that children are placed with adopters who are able to provide the best possible lifelong care.

"Part of this responsibility is advice for applicants on a range of suitability criteria, including any health and lifestyle issues which may impact on an applicant's long term ability to adopt.

"Expert advice on health and medical issues for applicants is provided by medical advisors to the council's adoption service, in line with BAAF (British Agencies Adoption and Fostering) guidance.

"Mr and Mrs Hall's application to adopt is still active and they have been given advice on how best to proceed regarding this issue."

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