The council leader's weight loss ups and downs has seen local charities enjoy a £200 funding boost.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis presented a cheque for £200 to the former mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung last week to go towards the mayor’s charities.

Earlier this year, as a way to commit to losing weight, Cllr Alambritis promised to donate £50 to the mayor’s charities, Friends in St Helier Hospital (FISHH) and the Merton Centre for Independent Living, each time he gained weight rather than losing it.

Cllr Alambritis said it was the NHS One You campaign which inspired him to start a healthier lifestyle.

He said “Overall I’ve lost a stone, or 10kg, but I had a few bumps on the way when I put on a few grams.

"I was encouraged to lose weight by NHS One You campaign which is all about getting people to make healthier choices when it comes to food and lifestyle.

"I feel better from being a bit more trim. All I have to do now is keep the weight off.”

FISHH is an organisation aimed at providing support, dignity, respect, health and well-being to active seniors within Merton, while the Merton Centre for Independent Living’s goal is to enable disabled people to take control over their lives and achieve full participation in Merton and wider society.

The One You campaign features an online quiz which assesses the individual’s overall health and lifestyle issues and then offers solutions.

It focuses mainly on older citizens and how they can prevent becoming ill later in life due to poor lifestyle decisions.