THE MAYOR of Northallerton plans to shed a stone in weight by Christmas to raise money for charity.

Councillor Sally Anderson weighed just under 12 stone a fortnight ago, but has got off to a flying start on her sponsored slim with the Weight Watchers pure points scheme, losing 4lbs already.

She hopes to raise about £500 for the North Yorkshire Dyslexia Society, a Northallerton charity.

"I wanted to do something for people in the area. I have young children and I know it's difficult at school without having problems of this nature, so I thought it was worth raising the profile of the charity and the condition if I can," she said.

By doing a sponsored slim, she hoped the publicity would help her stick to the diet and exercise plan.

"With everyone watching every move I make and keeping an eye on me it shouldn't be too difficult to stick to," she said.