Somerset amateur footballers shed two tonnes of weight playing in a year

Players taking part in the Man V Fat project have lost more than two tonnes in weight. Credit: Man V Fat

Amateur footballers from Somerset have lost a whopping two tonnes in weight playing matches over the past year.

More than 200 players signed up for the Man V Fat project when it launched leagues in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Weston last year.

Now those taking part are celebrating after shedding more than 4,000lbs.

Among them is Stuart McGarry, who weighed 330lbs when he first joined but now weighs 213lbs.

The project was launched to tackle rising levels of obesity among adults in Somerset.

Data from Public Health England shows nearly two thirds (65.8%) of adults in the county are overweight or obese - which is higher than the national average (62.3%).

Players taking part in the league in Yeovil. Credit: Man V Fat

As part of the programme, players are weighed before taking part in a 30 minute game of six-a-side - with goal bonuses available depending on the amount of weight players have lost.

Andrew Pritchard, who plays in the Taunton league, said he has lost 55lbs playing matches over the past 18 months.

The Taunton, Bridgwater and Weston leagues all currently have spaces for new players.

For more information, click here.

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