SUPERMARKET staff are to shed the pounds in aid of breast cancer research after a colleague's long battle with the disease.

Ali Booth, who works in the Asda store in Thornaby, near Stockton, is in remission from the disease for the second time.

Moved by her plight, her colleagues, who all work in the store's clothing department, decided to raise money to help research into the disease.

They are now giving themselves 12 weeks to shed as many pounds as possible, with all the money raised going to Breast Cancer Research.

Mrs Booth was first diagnosed with cancer in February 2000 and underwent a mastectomy at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton. She then went on a course of treatment before it went into remission.

However, in May 2001, the cancer had spread to her stomach and she again went through chemotherapy, and again the disease went into remission.

She is now back at work and supporting her colleagues to lose as much weight as possible.