A GROUP of overweight people from Blackpool are aiming to collectively lose 18 stone as they join Lancashire County Council's "Lose the Spare Tyre" Campaign.

The aim of the campaign is not only to lose weight but also to make Lancashire's population fitter and healthier.

More than 500 people have already shown an interest in the fat-busting scheme which starts now and lasts until April. And 170 have already pledged to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including 26 from Blackpool.

Sharon Bush, 29, of North Shore, said that she was enjoying taking part in the campaign. "I gave up smoking and I'm concentrating on walking instead of using my car and I've found it's already made a difference."

County coun Nora Ward, cabinet member for highways and transportation said: "The response so far has been great but we still want more people to come forward. As we have had the most responses from Preston and Blackpool we are now looking for people from the rest of Lancashire.

"The rewards in terms of becoming fitter and healthier can be great but to add an extra incentive everyone joining the spare tyre campaign stands to win a fantastic prize."

Prizes include a bike and a year's gym membership.

The council has a website where people can find out information about the campaign which has already had over 900 "hits". It gives exercise advice, allows you to work out your body mass indicator and gives details of weigh-ins and free aerobic sessions.

The campaign recommends small steps to fitness that people can take at home or at work. They are:

Take the stairs instead of the lift.

Get off the bus a stop earlier and walk the rest.

Reduce your "sitting time" and throw away the television remote.

Do sets of butt-clenches while sitting at your desk.

Large organisations in Preston have shown an interest in the campaign and Blackpool's Inland Revenue has requested 300 starter packs.

There's still time to request posters and packs for your workplace and you can find out more about the Spare Tyre campaign by visiting www.losethe sparetyre.co.uk or by calling (01772) 262419.