A WEIGHTY problem facing a North-East town is to be tackled head on with the introduction of a diet guru.

Research shows that Hartlepool's residents are some of the most obese in the country and now the borough council is to employ an officer to help combat bulging waistlines.

The council has advertised for a community weight management co-ordinator on a salary of between £23,175 and £24,708.

Claire Watson, the council's community nutritional project manager in the public protection department, said: "The new person will work closely with the Hartlepool Primary Care Trust on public health strategy and will help train health professionals and community members.

"We are thinking long-term to create the frameworks to combat future obesity problems."

The co-ordinator will help train members of the community and health professionals and then provide support.

They will focus on areas in the town for weight management schemes, ensure that the weight management schemes in place are working and helping people to lose weight, work with slimming groups and clubs across town to ensure greater co-ordination and help to collect more data regarding local levels of obesity.

Carole Johnson, the health development team leader for the primary care trust, said: "Obesity is not a problem unique to Hartlepool.

"We have a lot going on already to help combat obesity and this new post will help us to monitor success rates so we can see that what we have on offer works.

"This new post pulls together the services we offer across town in a uniformed approach and there will be a pool of qualified weight management trainers."

"This is an exciting opportunity because these roles don't come up very often.

"We are taking extra steps to improve the excellent work already in place regarding obesity and the social and health problems it causes."