WHEN Pete Johnson signed up for a fundraising abseil, he never thought his weight would be the biggest barrier.

But he discovered he was too big to fit through the 50cm by 50cm hatch of Eastnor Castle.

Not to be deterred the 48-year-old has decided to lose two stone in less than 10 weeks.

Mr Johnson said: “The flaw in my cunning plan is I am too much of a porker and well over the weight limit,” said Mr Johnson.

“So the double whammy in my challenge is to lose the two stone I need to between now and September with the aim to keep going to a healthy weight.”

He is raising money for National Star, which transforms the lives of young people with complex disabilities and learning difficulties.

Weighing in at 20 stone, Mr Johnson joined Slimming World, and in three weeks he has lost 15lb.

He said: “I told my doctor that I had a very healthy diet but I also had a more unhealthy diet on top."

Now his diet is all about fresh fruit and vegetables as he has eschewed the takeaways, cakes and crisps.

So far 33 people have signed up to abseil down the 100ft turrets of Eastnor Castle on September 22, which is being organised by National Star and they expect to sell out all 100 places.

The married father of one said: “Next year I turn 50 and I want to be fit at 50. Even after the abseil I plan to keep on the diet as my target is 13.5 stone."

“Working with the young people in StarBistro every day I see them overcome challenges that are simply part of their daily lives. Losing some weight and abseiling down a turret is nothing in comparison,” he said.

To sponsor Mr Johnson visit https://cando.everydayhero.com/uk/porps