DOCTORS have told a North-East schoolboy he could die if he does not lose 14 stone.

Sixteen-year-old Jonathan Wallace was given the ultimatum after his weight ballooned to 31 stone.

Now on a strict diet, the big-hearted Hartlepool teenager has pledged to use his weight-loss programme to raise money for his local hospice.

Unable to play sports, ride a bike or even walk without losing his breath, Jonathan feared a ticking-off when he visited his GP.

But he had the shock of his life when doctors told him to lose almost half his bulk - or die.

The wake-up call had the desired effect for 6ft 6in Jonathan and - inspired by his family's desire to see him lose weight - he has already shed two stone in a fortnight.

His mother, Margaret, 42, of Jutland Road, says he is determined to change his lifestyle and trim down his 58in waist.

She said: "The doctor just told it to him straight - he had to get down to 17 stone or he would only have between one and five years to live.

"We have always told him that some day he might die, and now we've had that confirmed. It's a matter of life and death."

Last night, Paul Gately, director of Britain's only "fat camp" for obese children, offered more hope for Jonathan.

Mr Gately believes he can help the schoolboy shed weight by attending the residential course run by Leeds Metropolitan University - regarded as the most successful weight-loss programme in the world.

Last year, the camp helped 33-stone Colin Ord, from Seaham, County Durham, shrink down to a healthier 26 stone.

But while Colin was referred to the camp on the NHS through a sympathetic family doctor, most of the 90 places have to be paid for privately, with the full six-week course costing £2,230.

Mr Gately said: "We would relish the chance to help Jonathan. We have got a proven track record of getting weight off and keeping it off by turning kids on to healthy eating and exercise."

A spokeswoman for Hartlepool Primary Care Trust said any application for funding made through the family's GP would be considered.

Now on a calorie-controlled diet monitored by his GP, Jonathan, a year 11 pupil at Brierton School, is appealing for individuals and companies to sponsor his weight-loss in aid of Hartlepool and District Hospice.

His family would also like someone to donate a strong bike for him to exercise on after his bulk destroyed every bike he has ever had.

Mrs Wallace said: "Since he was told the news, his behaviour has started to improve and it's great to see him try to achieve something positive.

"He's started to feel a lot better about himself and his confidence - which took a battering due to bullying by other kids - is starting to improve.

"Now he's got the incentive to lose weight for a good cause I know he'll do it."

Kevin Kidd, senior fundraiser at the hospice, said: "What Jonathan is doing for us is fantastic, not just for us, but for himself as well."

Mrs Wallace, who also has a daughter, Becky, nine, added: "He has always been a big lad and a compulsive eater.

"I would make him his tea and he would go out when I went to bed and come back with a kebab. He would also hide food behind the freezer, thinking we wouldn't find it.

"And no matter where we hid food he would always find it - he could sniff it out."

How Jonathan grew - and grew

His weights at:

* Birth - 4lb 12oz

* Ten months - 22lb

* Five years - 8 stone

* Eight years - 13 stone

* 12 years - 18 stone

* 14 years - 22 stone

* 16 years - 31 stone

Jonathan factfile

* Jonathan's typical evening meal consisted of fish and rice, followed by a kebab, four frozen fish, a loaf and a tin of beans.

* His mother had to buy him a new pair of jeans every fortnight because they continually tore.

* He could eat a 24-pack of crisps in only 15 minutes.

* At school he sat on a chair usually used by teachers.

* He has gone through 11 bicycles in as many years - all of them buckling under his weight.