AN ACCOUNTANT has lost pounds after joining a slimming club and cutting out beer.

Paul Johnston, from Trimdon Colliery, joined his village's slimming club last August and in less than six months has shed six stone.

He has also been named Slimmer of the Month for the past three months.

His progress has inspired all the group and between them, dieters at the Slimming World club have lost just over 67 stone since August.

The only difficulty Mr Johnston, 41, encountered was having to do without his real ale.

He said: "I'm a real ale fan and a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, so I do miss having a beer, but it's worth it now because I feel a lot better."

Losing weight has also helped improve Mr Johnston's health.

He is partially disabled and has difficulty walking, which contributed to him becoming overweight. But since losing six stones he finds himself using his walking stick less and no longer has to use a wheelchair.