WEIGHING almost 16 stone and suffering from arthritis, Jane Clayton feared she would never be able to hold her baby granddaughter.

In 2004, her weight - 15st 8lbs - meant she could not have the hip operation she needed.

She was also about to become a grandmother and feared her arthritis would prevent her holding the baby in her arms.

Three years later and Mrs Clayton, from Billy Row, has shed almost four stone, is able to play with granddaughter Ciara and helps other arthritis sufferers cope with the condition.

"Everything changed when I found out I was going to be a grandmother," the 58-year-old said.

"My weight was yo-yoing and I was having severe pains walking. Then I joined Weight Watchers. I've lost over three-and-a-half stone and I feel a different person."

Mrs Clayton now runs Challenging Arthritis, a course that helps sufferers live with the condition.

She said: "It's about getting people to take charge of their condition - not allowing their condition to take charge of them.

"I've seen people walk out at the end of the course completely different people."

More than nine million people in the UK have arthritis, which affects people of all ages and there is no cure.

Mrs Clayton, who had to retire because of ill health, said the condition was often complicated by obesity.

She was keen to thank her husband, Rick, 65, who is her carer, and Rosemary Gibson, her Weight Watchers group leader, for their support.

The next Challenging Arthritis course will begin at the Four Clocks Centre, in Bishop Auckland, on April 17. The six-week course is free and is held on Tuesdays, from 1.15pm and 3.45pm. For details, call 01388-767262.