A TEAM of Rudheath weight watchers bared their new svelt figures at a charity swimathon on Saturday, March 8.

Aptly named The Good Losers', Jim Colaianni, Joanne Lewis, Irene Halfpenny, Alison Astles and Tracey Parry took part in the Northwich Swimathon at Moss Farm Leisure Centre, raising £300 for Rotary Club charities.

Team captain and group leader Tracey Parry, 47, said she was delighted that the members completed 100 laps in just 55 minutes.

The Anderton resident said: "We had just 30 seconds to do a lap, I've never swam that fast in my whole life. There were some professionals taking part so it became a bit of a competition in the end."

They have lost more than nine stone between them with Tracey, Jim and Alison having kept the weight off for more than three years, while Joanne and Irene are well on their way to success in 2008.

Tracey added: "We decided to do it as a bit of a giggle. People see Weight Watchers as having a bit of a Little Britain approach but it's not like that at all. It's very modern and the swimathon was all about getting people interested in doing something for themselves as well as for the community - and it was great fun."

Her son Scott Parry, 13, who attends Leftwich High School had to step into the breach at the last minute after one of the women had to pull out.

Tracey added: "Obviously he isn't a member of Weight Watchers and swam the fastest out of the lot of us."

If you would like to join the class at Rudheath, it meets at 7pm on Tuesdays at Shurlach Methodist Church in Shurlach Road.

For details of other meeetings in your area, contact Weight Watchers on 08457 123000