A couple from the King's Lynn area who were arrested on suspicion of cruelty and neglect of their obese son will not be prosecuted, police said.

The 50-year-old man and 45-year-old woman, who were arrested in March 2014 under section 1 of the Children's Act 1933, have been released from police bail without charge.

A Norfolk police spokesman said: 'Following detailed enquires and CPS advice, it has been determined the criminal proceedings are now closed.'

The case relates to the alleged neglect of a child under 16.

As reported in the EDP last year, the child was aged 11 and weighed 15stone, when the parents were arrested.

Doctors had relayed worries about his health to police after he was brought in for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The 5ft 1in child had a body mass index of 41.28, which is almost double the level medics advise is safe.

A Norfolk police spokesman added: 'The child's welfare is of paramount importance and our priority throughout this investigation has always been – and remains - the safety and protection of that child.

'The arrests were based on criteria for police action which have now been outlined in the Safeguarding Response to Obesity when Neglect is an Issue Policy of the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board.'

Police said that throughout the investigation the case had remained subject to ongoing multi-agency safeguarding review.

A spokesman added: 'The policy outlines the requirement for childhood obesity to be managed primarily by parents and carers with incremental support from Health and Children's Social Care.'