A LORRY driver was sponsored to lose weight by his company, who claimed it would save them money!
Eric Joseph of Parkend weighed 19st 4lb and his bosses at A J Lowther and Son, Whitchurch, jokingly said if he lost a few stone it would make the lorry lighter and save the company fuel!
But they followed the joke with an offer to sponsor Eric £100 for every stone he dropped.
Eric took on the challenge and between Christmas 2007 and 2008 he lost an amazing four stone.
He said: "I just stopped eating rubbish – I love fish and chips, so I cut down on those. I have stopped eating sweets, cut down on cheese, milk and have started taking my coffee black. I stopped drinking for a while as well.
"It's mostly just willpower. I have been working out on the treadmill, taking walks and cycling."
His friends and relatives have sponsored him another £300 and Eric's wife Sue has started a slimming club and aqua aerobics sessions.
Eric said: "I feel great. I have more energy and I don't have to stop for a rest when I am going up and down the stairs or walking up the garden."
He has pledged the money to help Yorkley Health Centre and the staff who treated him after his leg was crushed in an accident in the 70s.
The money will be used to buy equipment for a new nurses station.