A MALE super slimmer who lost five stone in just five months says men should not be afraid to attend slimming classes just because there are more women there.

Peter Webb lost five stone by attending Slimming World classes in Kempsey, near Worcester, improving his health and confidence.

The IT consultant dropped from 18.5 stone (117kg) to 13.5 stone (86kg) after beginning a programme last September and now plans to run the Adidas Silverstone half-marathon in March.

The father-of-one, aged 38, of Aldersey Close, off Bath Road, Worcester, wants to persuade men eager to lose weight not to be put off, even though classes tend to be dominated by women.

We reported in your Worcester News how Brian Hunt, acting vice-chairman of the Worcestershire Pensioner's Action Group said many men were too embarrassed to attend classes for this very reason and called on Worcestershire Primary Care Trust to help. The PCT has announced £2.4 million plans to fight obesity in the county, including hiring 31 full-time trainers to fight the flab.

Mr Webb decided to lose weight in September following a Hiatus hernia and problems with indigestion.

He had the unpleasant experience of having a camera put into his stomach by doctors, making him determined to improve his health.

He said: "When I first started at Slimming World there was only a couple of guys there.

"I was a bit daunted by the fact it was a slimming club and it would be mainly women, but we're all there for the same reason and there's quite a number of guys there now.

"I didn't expect to be able to lose that much weight. There's a bit of healthy competition between two or three of the guys. It gives you inspiration."

He says the club has helped him learn new healthy recipes, although he still enjoys the occasional takeaway.

Of the 80 people who attend the group at Kempsey Primary School, 10 of them are men.

Laurie Wells, a consultant who runs the class, is now considering putting forward Mr Webb as "Man of the Year" - a national prize for the country's best male slimmer.

She lost more than nine stone (57kg) to become Consultant Slimmer of the Year last June.

She said: "Although there aren't any male only groups in Worcester my group does have men.

"There aren't any women-only groups either. I know it's hard for a man to come through the door of a slimming group. But he wouldn't be the only man in our group. It's a very lively group but it's great fun. Men are quite competitive but they all get looked after by the women."

The weekly classes are held on Tuesdays at 7pm.

For more information call Laurie Wells on 07790715465.