THEY have lost 61 stone between them - and they will be striding out with pride when they take part in Southampton Race for Life.

The Sexy Synners are a 42-strong team of women drawn from three Slimming World clubs.

The women belong to the Lordswood and Fair Oak clubs that meet on a Tuesday evening and the Calmore group that gathers on a Thursday. The women all have special reasons for taking part - and they have been delighted that training for the 5km challenge has helped them shift even more inches.

Organiser Ingrid Dowse said: "We've worked out that we have lost the equivalent weight of eight cheetahs between us - although I don't think any of us will be running as fast as they do.

"Training for this has helped us get in shape and we are looking forward to taking part."

Up to 10,000 women are expected to line up for Race for Life in Southampton on Sunday July 18 and it will be the largest race in the UK. Organiser Karina Morgan said: "I am delighted that Southampton will host the largest Race for Life in the country.

"It is good for the city and a credit to the women who have signed up so far."

There's still time to join the fun on Southampton Common, although entries will close this Sunday. If you are going along to support a friend or family member and would like to volunteer to help out, contact Karina Morgan on 07778 215958

We're keen to feature as many of the teams taking part as possible in the run-up to Sunday July 18 - contact Jenny Makin on 023 80424 519 or e-mail her at jenny.makin@soton-echo.co.uk