OVERWEIGHT men are queuing up to shed the pounds at the UK's first all-male slimming club.

Weight expert Mary Reed decided to launch the group in Hexham, Northumberland, for men who might be embarrassed to join a class full of women. Mother-of-two Mrs Reed, 48, joined Weight Watchers herself 24 years ago and has been leading groups for 22 years. She said: "I tried something like this 15 years ago but at the time the guys weren't interested. Now, I think the stigma of men losing weight in this way has gone. They are keen to be healthy and looking good - and of course they don't want to be left behind by their women."

Lottery winners: The latest Great North Air Ambulance lottery winners have been announced. First prize went to a ticket holder in Ovingham who won £200. Second prize of £100 was won by 09890, in Alnwick. A supporter in Darlington with ticket number 13332 won £50. Three winners in Bedlington with tickets 15301, 09210 and 09278 won £50, £25 and £25, respectively. For details of £10 winners, the Great North Air Ambulance service lottery office can be contacted on (01668) 213824.

B'Eagles fly: A tribute band to 1970s rockers The Eagles perform in the North-East next month. The B'Eagles, who are regarded as the leading tribute show to the Eagles, are now bringing their two-hour show to Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre where they will belt out the old hits, including Hotel California, Take it Easy, Lying Eyes, Tequila Sunrise and Take it to the Limit. Tickets for the show, at 8pm on February 20, are £8 and £7 concessions.

Bus attack: A bus passenger was showered with glass when yobs threw a bottle at the number 89A Arriva bus as it was travelling along Skelton High Street, towards Loftus, in east Cleveland, at 11.35pm on Friday. The youths had been standing on the pavement near the Whorton Arms pub. The woman suffered minor cuts to her head and hands. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who knows those involved, is asked to contact PC Richard Sivills, of Guisborough police, on (01642) 302026.

TV role: Nineteen-year-old Abbie Pethullis, from Acomb, York, has landed a job as a co-presenter of GMTV children's show Diggin It. A second-year film, theatre and TV students at Brunel University, London, she was offered the job after TV bosses remembered her from a 1996 audition.

Railway talk: Friends of Darlington Railway Museum meet on Thursday, at 7.15pm, to hear John Askwith discuss the Weardale Heritage Railway.