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

Eight women have signed up to the sponsored weight loss in aid of Consett Infants School including the headteacher Lyn Blacklock and two school 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 a grandmother.

The school has successfully raised £5,000 for an interactive whiteboard.

Money brought in by this venture will start fundraising to supply its other classroom with a similar board.

"We have raised a fair bit through events that the children can take part in and we will continue to do so," said Mrs Blacklock.

"But we are very grateful to the parents for joining in with us. Weight is something that people often don't want to share."

The group was weighed last month by an independent monitor, who recorded a total weight of more than 94 stones.

The women will take to the scales again at the half way point in May and announce their final weight loss in July.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the group or making a donation towards the whiteboard is asked to contact Mrs Blacklock on (01207) 504464