OVERWEIGHT father-of-two Gary Baines took part in a 600-mile walk for a TV documentary - and managed to lose more than three stones.

The 45-year-old - who weighed 25 stones before he set off on his epic journey - was one of five overweight people who hiked from Plymouth to Edinburgh for the Channel 4 programme.

Mr Baines decided to embark on the trip after a routine visit to his doctor gave him the shock he needed. He was told he could have just two years to live unless he changed his lifestyle.

The accountant, who works at turfcare, grass and sports maintenance firm Rigby Taylor in Horwich, is delighted with the weight he has shed - a total of three stones and three pounds - but admitted the two-month trek had been gruelling. He said he was happy to be reunited with wife Margaret, and daughters, Zoe, aged seven and three-year-old Laura.

Mr Baines said: "I didn't mind the walking so much. It did get quite hard towards the end, but the camping was awful as I'm really not a natural at it.

"It was fantastic to see my family again. I can't describe how much I've missed them, but they've been so supportive."

The programme, which has the working title, The Great British March, saw the five participants trek through Bristol, into Wales, up towards Liverpool and pass through Bolton, before crossing into Yorkshire and Durham and eventually Edinburgh.

Experts were also on hand to give out advice on how to eat a healthy diet. The programme, which is scheduled to be aired on November 6, 7 and 8, he is now determined to keep up the good work.

Mr Baines said: "I feel a lot fitter and I'm determined to keep it up so I can keep on losing weight. I have a target weight of 15 stones, so I still have another six to go, but this has been a great motivation and I'm not going to let it go to waste."

Although he admitted he is dreading seeing himself on television, saying: "I'm looking forward to re-living some of the better memories, but not to see myself on screen.

"They filmed us from we woke up in the morning until we closed the tent at night, and I just don't know which bits they'll use."