NEW Year slimmers are being offered an extra large helping of motivation to shed the pounds and gain pounds for charity this year.

Slimming World consultants Julie Williams and Vicki Hunt have organised a six week sponsored slim at their Leigh and Hindley Green classes to raise money for Barnado's. And the duo met dishy EastEnder's star Craig Fairbrass, the soap's bad guy Dan Sullivan, when he hosted the organisation's annual awards ceremony.

The duo, who are looking forward to a record breaking January, said: "He's a really nice guy and was so impressed with the achievements of our slimmers. "Helping people to achieve their dream size is a reward in itself, but meeting Craig was the perfect end to a fabulous year."

Julie and Vicki expect hundreds will want to shed their old image but find that keeping their motivation can be difficult without good advice, support and that necessary ingedient, a bit of fun.

They said: "Everyone's welcome to join in the sponsored slim whether they are members or not -- right up to the end of March. Just come and be weighed in confidence and you'll be helping needy children while you help yourselves." The girls run classes at the Bethel Community Centre, Atherton Road, on Thursdays at 10am and 5pm and St Joseph's Sodality Hall, off Chapel Street on Tuesdays at 1.30pm and 5.30pm. Further details from 01942 525106 or 01942 684241.