Eight people who are competing to be Devizes’ Biggest Loser in a competition to raise money for Help for Heroes will face the first weigh in on Sunday.

The eight have received free gym membership at Route 2 Fitness, Hopton Industrial Estate, throughout the ten week challenge.

Jayne Jenkins, owner of the gym, said: “They are all totally amazing. They are loving it and are so committed. They are already feeling the benefits. The target for most of them is to lose 3lbs in weight each per week.”

Each contender has been given dietary advice and an exercise programme to follow. Those who lose the least weight will be up for elimination and one person will leave the competition each week although they will still receive gym supervision.

The competition takes its inspiration from the TV show Britain’s Biggest Loser where people compete to lose weight and get fit before being crowned biggest loser.

Bromham singer Kerry Evans has presented a cheque for more than £1,700 to the Gazette’s Help for Heroes campaign following a successful music night in Melksham last month.

Ms Evans, from The Chantry, who sings Irish music, organised the event with her partner Shaun Arkell at the Foresters Arms in Melksham on February 26.

She said: “It was a wonderful evening and I am really grateful to everyone who came along to support the evening, “I want the money to go towards the Gazette’s appeal to create a personnel recovery centre at Tedworth House in Tidworth.”