SPORTS enthusiast Bob Townsend has realised his dream to play school rugby after losing over two stone at a "fat camp" for teenagers.

Bob, 13, of Yew Tree Drive, Oswaldtwistle, has realised his long-held ambition of playing rugby for prestigious Stonyhurst College.

His weight made him too slow for the college's top team, until he attended the six-week camp at Leeds University and slimmed down to under 13 stone.

And his achievement is to be featured on the Channel Four current affairs programme First Edition today and tomorrow.

Bob, one of four children of acclaimed wildlife artist Steve Townsend and wife Viv, has already been featured on breakfast TV about his experiences at the weight loss camp.

The camp, at Carneigie College, was specifically for teenagers and encouraged new approaches to lifestyle, exercise and food, rather than advocating strict diets.

Bob said: "I wasn't happy with myself and wanted to lose weight. I wanted to play first-team rugby for Stonyhurst College, but couldn't make it into the team, because I was too slow. I come from a family of well-built people and was overweight because of the way I was built not because I was particularly over-eating.

"At the camp, I took part in sports and learned about nutrition and healthy living. I lost over two stone and built up my stamina. There were about 60 other teenagers there and we built up a team spirit, and helped each other along,

"I have made it into the college's rugby team, as well as taking part in swimming and badminton. I feel a lot better and am much happier with the way I look."

Plucky prop Bob scored his first try for the College XV when they took to the field against King William's College from the Isle of Man at the weekend and gave the Manx boys a thrashing.

And Bob had this advice for any other youngster looking to shed weight: "Take up any opportunity to be active and cut out the sweets!"

Bob's proud mum Viv said: "We were very impressed with how the camp was organised. Bob asked to go there and absolutely loved it."

Jonathan Hewat, marketing and admissions manager at Stonyhurst College, added: "We're proud of Bob's achievement. It's a credit to him."