Keen to take lead in diet contest

These two rivals are set to lock horns in a Shropshire weight loss battle with a twist - one is human, the other is a dog.In the red corner is 36-year-old veterinary nurse Inka Patterson, who works at Haygate Veterinary Centre in Muxton, Telford.

In the blue corner is Lady, a seven-stone chocolate-coloured labrador and a regular patient at the vets. Now "woman and beast" are set to fight it out over the coming months.

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The idea is to see which species can lose the most of its body weight by percentage, with sponsors hel;ping raise funds for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The contest winner will be the one to lose the highest percentage of their body weight by September 1.

The contest was dreamt up by Miss Patterson and her colleagues, who decided to support their chosen charity and fight the flab all at once.

Miss Patterson, who is about to move to Codsall, but is originally from Germany, said: "I have always loved food and have been overweight more or less all my life. I decided to make it a fundraising effort too.

"I think that is why I know most things about nutrition, both good and bad.

"We run very successful weight clinics here at Muxton, called Overeaters Anonymous, and also at our other surgeries. I'm sure I wouldn't be overweight if somebody else was responsible for my food intake.

"I offer a food measuring service for my weight clinic pets, so their daily food intake is easier to control - now I am learning by example.

"Since I started my diet, in order to raise money for the Guide Dogs of the Blind, I actually get up half an hour earlier every morning to weigh, measure my food and pack my little basket with all the things I am allowed to eat during the day.

"This is working well and although Lady is ahead of me already, I am motivated and optimistic that I will be obese by Christmas, instead of morbidly obese, that is."

Lady's owner, father-of-four Martyn Mansell, of Brick Kiln Way, Donnington Wood, said he thought the fundraiser was a "great idea" and gave the whole family the chance to do more exercise.

He said the five-year-old labrador had always been a greedy dog, but they were cutting down on the titbits she gets.

People can back their favourite to win by making a minimum £1 donation to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

When the contest ends all winning tickets go into a prize draw to win a bag of dog food.

To take part, call Haygate Veterinary Centre on (01952) 677717 or donate online at www.justgiving.com/haygate-challenge

Inka and Lady - those vital stats

Name: Inka Patterson.

Age: 36.

Starting weight: 118.8kg (18st 6lb).

Target weight: None.

Weight loss: Weight will be based on percentage of body weight lost.

Exercise - post challenge: Dancing twice a week and pilates classes.

Diet: Weight Watchers. Being careful what she eats, and making sure that she has a balanced diet.

Name: Lady.

Age: Five years, nearly six.

Starting weight: 45kg (7st).

Target weight: None.

Weight loss: Weight will be based on percentage of body weight lost.

Exercise - post challenge: Daily walks and runs twice a week.

Diet: A balanced diet including Hills Pet Nutrition food, R/D Diet. Cutting out titbits from the children.

By Tom Johannsen and Lisa Rowley

Slimming partners - veterinary nurse Inka Patterson and Lady.

Walkies! Inka and Lady walking off the pounds.

nextpage No to too many bad-for-you treats!

It's fresh air and exercise for Inka and Lady.