A football-focused weight loss programme has helped 33 men from Chester tackle obesity and lose 275 pounds of weight 8 weeks into its inaugural 14-week season.

The club, organised by MAN v FAT Football, takes place at Goals Chester on Bumpers Lane on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm, the programme is specifically aimed at overweight and obese men with a BMI of higher than 27.5.

According to Public Health England around 69 per cent of adults in the Chester West and Chester local authority area are overweight or obese, placing the region among the top 30 hotspots in England for the medical concern. In England the national average stands at around 63 per cent.

MAN v FAT is an FA-affiliated scheme, which has 7,500 players taking part in over 150 clubs across the UK. Its creator Andrew Shanahan developed the programme to combine the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals.

Before matches, players are weighed, which is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on the amount of weight players have lost.

Weight loss and match scores then contribute to teams’ league positions within a club. Players receive additional support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.

Dave Goodfellow who coaches the Chester club, said: "We’re extremely proud of the crop of players that joined the new club, who are scoring goals on and off the pitch - and who are working hard towards a healthier future for themselves.

"Losing weight requires real dedication and the accountability to each other that MAN v FAT brings, places emphasis on losing weight together, as a team.

"The club has spaces for new players and we welcome anyone who is looking to lose weight through football to sign-up via the website and come and join us for a kick-about.

"MAN v FAT isn’t just about football, it’s making a positive change, learning about healthy lifestyle, making new friends and having fun."

The Chester club has spaces for new players and its organisers are encouraging more local men to get involved.

The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at around 400,000 pounds.