THE winner of a gruelling challenge set by a Chester-le-Street gym lost more than two stones in weight.

Barbara Burgess was one of six members of Ladies at Leisure, in Front Street, who signed up to do 100 consecutive days of working out.

By the last two weeks only two women were still doing it and one had to pull out due to injury. Ms Burgess actually did 101 days due to a miscalculation.

Gym director Glenn Hill, a former soldier, said: “Barbie Burgess was amazing and performed better than the other ladies throughout.

“My main aim was not weight loss but instead for the ladies to change their habits to healthy ones in which they continue with fitness and healthy eating forever.

“Barbie’s start weight was 16 stone 1lb and is now just under 14 stone. More importantly, Barbie has gained extra lean muscle and ditched unhealthy fat tissue.”