My sterner critics may say (unfairly) that I am already too big for my boots - but I confess to having allowed myself to become a little too big for my trousers !

Well all that is changing. I have signed up for Weightwatchers' rigid eating schedule in order to shed several unwanted stones. And I intend to fight the flab just as hard as I try to fight for local people.

The statistics were a little frightening. At the first Parliamentary Weightwatchers Club I tipped the scales at a little over 15 stone. The Weightwatchers specialists said I needed to lose 4 stone fast.

I did. Very quickly. And then, more's the pity, put a bit of it back ! I am now sticking to a very healthy diet, and the spare tyre is deflating again. If you want to sponsor me feel free to e-mail and offer a pledge - every penny raised will go to the British Heart Foundation. Meanwhile some photographic evidence of my refreshed sporting credentials (running for charity, of course)

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If you want to sponsor me, pound by pound, I pledge all donations to the British Heart Foundation: www.bhf.org.uk

If you fancy losing a pound or two yourself here's the website for Weightwatchers: www.weightwatchers.co.uk/