A GIANT rugby player has vowed to shed seven stones to help his cash-starved club.

Anthony 'Axel' Foley (left), 32, plays prop forward for Accrington Rugby League Club and thanks to a healthy love of food weighs a whopping 25 stones.

Now, after years of struggling around the pitch, he has decided enough is enough and is embarking on a sponsored slim. Mr Foley, of Bolton Road, Huncoat, is also a coach and youth development officer for the club.

He will be joined in the slim by the mum of one of his under-14 side, Diane Howorth (also pictured).

Mr Foley said: "I've always been a big guy and I know I probably always will be, but I'm determined to lose as much weight as I can for the club."

The pair hope to lose a combined 100 pounds before they call an end to the slim, in 17 weeks, on June 9.

He added: "Ideally I would like to get down to 18 stones. I'll still be a big lad but, hopefully, I'll be able to run a bit better, and for a bit longer.

"If we can raise some money it will really help the club. We have a lot of expenses and we want to take the under-14 team to south Wales in the summer."

He plans to cut down on all of his eating, and join Diane for walks, squash and badminton. Accrington RLC are currently in a promotion race at the top of the North West Counties Division Six.