DO NOT be surprised to see regulars at a pub in Royston shunning the more traditional pub snacks of pork scratchings and peanuts in favour of a carrot and banana. For Joe Bone, Steve Girling, and Carlo Zambonini, who all drink at the North Star pub in Ol

DO NOT be surprised to see regulars at a pub in Royston shunning the more traditional pub snacks of pork scratchings and peanuts in favour of a carrot and banana.

For Joe Bone, Steve Girling, and Carlo Zambonini, who all drink at the North Star pub in Old North Road, as well as landlord Dave Thake are taking part in a sponsored slim to raise funds for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The four slimmers are currently just over half way through a six week diet plan and are on course to break their collective target of shedding three stone.

Mr Bone said: "We are doing really well and each week all of us are losing weight. We've cut back on booze and have been eating healthily.

"We are now in the hard part and it's getting more and more difficult - especially in resisting the temptation of Chinese and Indian takeaways."

Mr Bone, 54, decided to take part in the sponsored slim after a medical examiner suggested that he lost a stone in weight.

He explained: "I wanted to prove to people that I could lose the weight and then a few friends suggested we did a sponsored slim and raise money at the same time."

Before the diet Mr Bone of Royston weighed 14 stone two pounds, now he weighs 13 stone five pounds.

"I put my weight loss down to exercising and I use an exercise bike for an hour every night. I have also been eating a lot of fruit and veg - so much so I would be happy to never see another vegetable again," said Mr Bone.

"It's now an obsession and I'm regularly checking for calories when I go shopping. It's changed my life quite a bit and do feel a lot better for it."

Each week the slimmers are weighed in front of the watching pub, with their progress being monitored on a chart.

Mr Bone said: "It's very daunting being weighed in front of all those people and it's not a nice feeling. You know that people are watching just to see if you've put weight on.

"It is hard work and because we are doing it for such a good cause, it puts even more pressure on us to do well. We still have a little way to go, but I'm confident we can all reach our target."

Organiser, Donna Flatt who also works at the pub said: "They're working very hard and raising money for a very good cause. I'm quite surprised at just how well they are doing and it's been fun listening to them talking about their diets - at this rate we'll have to put a calorie conversion chart behind the bar! At least they know now what us women have to go through.

"I'm sure that they will reach their target and I hope that they will try and keep up the good work after the fundraising is over - I'm very proud of them.