A GIMMICK-free diet initiative has been launched by Middlesbrough Council to help people get the right balance in their lives.

The Balance Weight Management Course, being run at the town's leisure centres, will show people how to lose weight and keep it off with easy to learn eating habits.

Organised by the council, the NHS and primary care trust, the eight-week course will support and motivate people to learn to eat healthily while leading an active life.

The course has already proved to be a success, with a recent group losing a total of 12 stones 8lbs between them.

One member, Jill Mellar, said: "Having been to most slimming clubs, and yo-yo dieted for many years, I felt I needed something different.

"I found it at Balance, where I learned what a balanced diet involved and was also encouraged to take in some exercise.

"I lost 14lbs during the programme, without avoiding things I like or missing out on family meals. I now enjoy a fuller and more active lifestyle."

For further information, contact the leisure centres: Rainbow Leisure Centre (01642) 592800; Southlands Leisure Centre (01642) 300428; Neptune Centre (01642) 230106 or Clairville (01642) 246767.