SUPER slimmer Amanda Barnes has found the perfect way to show off her new thinner tum - she's taken up bellydancing!

Mum-of-four Amanda, 39, of Whalley New Road in Wilpshire, near Blackburn, started the classes to help tone up her stomach.

At the same time she was going to Weight Watchers and managed to come down from 12 stone 2lbs to 9 stone 4lbs within the space of three months.

Amanda, an administrator at Springfield Nursing Home, Blackburn, said: "I lost the weight just by following the Weight Watchers' programme. It was so easy to do -- you don't have to have to give up anything like chocolate as long as you stick to their programme.

"I just stuck to low-fat food and my husband Simon lost three stone as well! And he wasn't even supposed to be dieting!"

"I thought the belly dancing classes would be good to do as I have had four children and wanted to tone up my stomach muscles - especially after they had been stretched four times.

"I was waiting to pick my daughter up from her dance class when I saw the poster advertising them and thought it would be quite a good exercise for me."

Amanda has been attending the classes at the Dance and Performing Arts Centre (DAPA) in Eanam Wharf and has passed a bronze and silver exam in it.

She said: "I took part in a big show at Blackburn College which I would never had had the confidence to do if I hadn't gone to Weight Watchers to lose the weight.

"We've also put on belly dancing displays at a nursing home and in a club at Preston. We dress up in costume jewellery and wear headbands. It's really good fun. I would recommend it -- it's definitely toned up my stomach and my leg muscles as well."

Amanda was so impressed with Weight Watchers that she has now become a leader. Her weekly meetings are held at the Blind Society in Railway Road in Blackburn at 10am on Saturday mornings. For further details contact Amanda on 01254 245596.

If anyone is interested in learning how to belly dance they should contact DAPA on 01254 699221.