A CAMPAIGNER for a pensioner's action group has called for men-only slimming classes in Worcestershire in the fight against obesity.

Brian Hunt, acting vice-chairman of the Worcestershire Pensioner's Action Group, says many men feel too embarrassed to attend slimming classes that are dominated by women.

He has called on Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to tackle this problem in its £2.4million plans to fight obesity in the county, which include hiring 31 full-time professional trainers to fight the flab, as reported in your Worcester News.

Mr Hunt, aged 70, of Lansdowne Rise, Rainbow Hill, Worcester, said he left a slimming class because he felt awkward about being the only man there, but says he would be happy to attend a men-only class in his bid to lose three stone (19kg).

"There is the need for a men's slimming club in Worcestershire and I challenge the PCT to provide one," he said.

"I'm not being sexist but men feel like a right Charlie at some slimming classes.

"If one slimming club could rise to the challenge then perhaps we could start a trend."

Mr Hunt used to attend men-only slimming classes in the 1960s.

"I lost a couple of stone back then and others lost more than me," he said. "When men retire from work they often put on weight.

"This is why there should be more of a big push about men's health.

"I felt embarrassed in classes because I was the only man."

Clayton Smith, aged 37, of Bath Road, Diglis, Worcester, runs classes at Perdiswell Primary School after shedding half his body weight.

Mr Smith lost 12 stone (76 kg) from his 25 stone and 10 lbs (167kg) frame to become Mr Slimming World in March 2006.

He says he is not aware of a men-only group in Worcestershire, although he says more men may have got involved in his classes because he is a man and they feel more comfortable.

He said: "When I started losing weight I was the only man in the class.

"I was made to feel welcome - more so, in fact, because I was the only guy there."

Mr Smith thought of setting up a men-only class in Worcester but so far there has not been enough demand for one.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust said no decision had been taken yet on whether they could fund men-only classes although it would be considered if it had health benefits.