AN Atherton housewife has slammed a 'fatties' critic.

And overweight school cook Michelle Whittle says: "I'm happy as I am".

An angry Michelle went on the offensive this week after a Journal Mailbox letter-writer highlighted what they saw as "overweight and grossly obese people stuffing their faces with pies".

Michelle, who works at Meadowbank School, Atherton, says being overweight is as much a problem for some people as a drugs is for others.

She admitted: "I do over eat, but I'm also happy as I am. I have tried dieting but I always feel totally miserable, and so does everyone around me, including my husband and my children.

"I come from a family of big eaters and big people, and my mother even went into depression once after going down to size 12. Being larger these days is becoming more acceptable, and I hate bigoted people who try to deny us the right to be the way we choose."

Michelle, aged 29, declined to reveal her weight.

"I am much larger than my husband, but so long as he is happy and I am happy what does it matter to other people?

"My brother is overweight, my dad is overweight and my gran is overweight, but that is just the way we are.

"We love our food, and the comments in 'Mailbox' really disgust me. In fact I take offence at such comments.

"My family and friends love me for who I am and that is enough.

"I don't look bad, maybe not as attractive as some, but I don't care so long as my family and friends like me for who I am.

"I always like to be bubbly and laughing, but bigotry is something I hate. It has nothing to do with anyone else what weight someone else happens to be!"

Are you BIG and beautiful? Email The Journal about how being big has affected your life.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.