STAFF and parents have launched a fit club to shed pounds and raise much-needed school funds.

Eight women have signed up to the sponsored weight loss in aid of Consett Junior School, including headteacher Lyn Blacklock and two of her staff.

The event was the idea of parent Caroline Johnson.

"It came about during a conversation over the school gate one morning," said Mrs Blacklock.

"We found out we were both trying to lose weight and she suggested we should turn it into a fundraising event."

They were joined by teacher Sarah Thomas, learning support assistant Shirley Pull, and five women with relatives at the school - including one grandmother.

The school has just celebrated raising £5,000 for an interactive whiteboard. Money brought in by this new venture will start off fundraising to supply its other classroom with a similar board.

The group was weighed last month by an independent monitor, who recorded a total weight of just over 94 stones. The women will take to the scales again at the halfway point in May and announce their final weight loss in July.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the group or making a donation towards the whiteboard should call Mrs Blacklock on (01207) 504464.