Children will be banned from bringing sweets and crisps to school if Plaid Cymru wins power at next year's Welsh Assembly election.

Fatty and sugar-saturated food would be banned from schools, party health spokesman Dai Lloyd told the annual party conference in Llandudno.

"It would be bitter medicine for some, but it has got to be done," he told delegates.

If - after four years as health minister - the health of the nation has not begun to improve, I will go

Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru

Dr Lloyd said it was part of an aggressive drive to boost the health of people in Wales.

He said Wales would face an "immense" obesity problem unless action was taken.

And he promised all children would have free access to swimming pools and everyone would be entitled to free dental and eye checks.

Smoking would also be banned in all public buildings.

Financial savings

Dr Lloyd explained his measures would be financed from public expenditure savings made by not having to treat diseases caused by poor diet, smoking and drinking.

He said he needed just one term in office to being turning around the health of Wales, which ranks amongst the worst in Europe.

"If - after four years as health minister - waiting lists are longer, we have fewer doctors and nurses and the health of the nation has not begun to improve, I will clear my desk and go," he told delegates.

But Plaid Cymru are not expected to win power from Labour and the Liberal Democrats at the second ever Welsh Assembly election next May.

Health structures

Then Dr Lloyd turned his attentions to the current Cardiff Bay administration's record on health.

He called on Health Minister Jane Hutt to abandon plans for a radical shake-up of NHS management in Wales.

In April, Wales' five regional health authorities in favour of 22 local health authorities along council boundaries at a cost of up to �15.5.

She wants to cut beauracracy and bring cash for health services closer to the hospitals.

But Dai Lloyd said she should focus on providing more doctors, nurses and beds instead of "wasting" time and money on restructuring.