Heavyweight editor Brian Aitken has set himself a two stone weight loss challenge.

The 46-year-old news boss aims to lose the weight by the end of April, and is asking the local business community to show their support and donate cash.

At a weigh-in before Christmas Brian, from The Journal in Newcastle, came in at 15st 8lbs, and is now down to 15st 6lb.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: “It’s been going for less than two weeks, but because of an overeager newsdesk I was weighed before Christmas and put on weight over Christmas, so I have actually lost 8lbs in two weeks!

“Because of the type of paper we are we have a strong business readership, and I will be contacting them to ask them to sponsor me.

“If I lose two stone in four months I will be very happy.”

Brian (right) at his first weigh-in

Brian now plans to cut down on his portion sizes, eat more healthily and cut down on alcohol in a bid to hit his target weight, as well as increasing the amount of exercise he does.

His progress will be charted in The Journal – although “not too often”, says Brian.

He said: “I’m a great believer that a watched kettle never boils!”

Brian’s decision follows that of Journal columnist and former Mirror editor David Banks, who is also shedding the pounds in aid of the paper’s Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.

The fund has been set up in honour of 16-year-old reader Josie Grove, who has decided to forego further treatment for terminal cancer to enjoy the time she has left with her family after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants.

After reading Josie’s story, David – who is in remission from leukaemia himself – decided to begin a diet and ask readers to sponsor him or raise money through their own fitness-related event.

He aims to lose six stone, and at his latest weigh in he came in at 23st 7lb, having lost one stone in four weeks.