SHE may be aged only 11 - but super slimmer Rebecca Giblin is setting an example to everyone.

The youngster, who weighed 8st 5lb, has shed a stone after becoming one of the first to sign up to a campaign against child obesity in Bolton. With the help of her mum and a team of specialists, she has stopped eating foods which are high in sugar and fat.

Now she weighs a more healthy 7st 5lb - and has vowed to continue with her health kick into the new year.

Rebecca, a Claypool Primary School pupil from Lostock, said: "I loved going to the sessions. I really liked meeting new people and I've made some new friends. I've got loads more energy now."

The scheme she took part in - called Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It (MEND) - was devised by health bosses in a bid to tackle rising rates of childhood obesisty after figures revealed more than one in five children, aged four and five, are overweight or obese. With 10 and 11-year-olds, the figures is nearly 30 per cent.

The fat-fighting programme is aimed at children aged between seven and 11 Before taking part in the scheme Rebecca exercised almost every night, learning karate, attending dance classes, horse riding and swimming, so her mother, Tracey, could not understand why she was two stones too heavy.

The MEND team, which is made up of dieticians, nutritionists and fitness instructors, explained how much sugar and fat could be found in supermarket meals, such as cereals, pizzas and chicken nuggets.

Nursey nurse, Miss Giblin, of Alexander Road, said: "The team explained how I must make everything from fresh, which I now do, and it's made such a difference to Rebecca. She can still have all her favourite foods but because I make them at home I know exactly what goes into them.

"She's got so much more energy, is a lot more bubbly and that's all down to the MEND programme.

Families attend two-hour sessions, twice a week, over a 10-week period as part of the programme.

The sessions include an hour of discussion about healthy eating and behavioural changes and an hour of fun exercise. The next block will start in January and at least one parent or carer must accompany the child at every session.

Another success story from the MEND sessions, is 12-year-old Matthew Meehan. He was being bullied about his weight and his mum was desperate to help him.

Matthew, a pupil at St Joseph's High School in Horwich, is a rugby fanatic and is either practising or playing matches every day.

Miss Meehan, a nurse at Hope Hospital in Salford, said: "When you have large children, people assume you are pouring fizzy drinks and junk into their mouths, but that's is not the case.

"We couldn't understand what was going wrong with Matthew, but learning about what food contains really helped. The MEND groups have been absolutely fantastic for us. I could see Matthew's shape changing before my eyes."

Matthew, of Station Road in Blackrod, has shed around seven pounds and turned much of his fat into muscle.

He said: "It was really interesting when they took us round the supermarket and showed us all what we could and couldn't eat and how it affects us. It's helped me learn how to be healthier and improve my life."

For information about a place on the next MEND course, call 01204 344144. Sessions are held at Westhoughton Leisure Centre and Sharples Leisure Centre.