A regional journalist who was “desk bound and piling on the pounds” is bidding to lose weight with a little help from his favourite football team.

Darren Burke, who works for the Doncaster Free Press and Sheffield daily The Star, has signed up to Fit Rovers – a weight-loss scheme run at Doncaster Rovers Football Club.

So far he has lost more than a stone by taking part in the project, having only initially signed up to write a feature about the scheme.

Darren says the scheme is “helping to transform the lives of dozens of men” in the town, with fitness sessions run at Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium home ground.

In a piece for the Free Press, Darren wrote: “Desk bound and putting on the pounds with all the wrong foods, I’d become far too lazy, rooted to the sofa and stuffing down junk food at night. But that’s all changed in just over two months.

“I’ve lost more than a stone, seen my waist size shrink by more than 10cm and started playing football regularly again. Furthermore, I’ve rediscovered my love of biking, pulled on my running shoes once again and also convinced my 71-year-old dad to sign up too.

“He’s also seen the weight slide off and his clothes get baggier too. And so taken is my 13-year-old son with my new more svelte appearance, that he’s taken to joining me on marathon bike rides around Doncaster. I’m feeling re-energised, rejuvenated and putting my bad habits behind me. And it feels great.”

Darren told HTFP:  “It started out as a feature idea – go along, see what it was all about etc and then do a piece, like I’ve done with countless other groups and organisations.

“But I enjoyed it so much that I decided to stay and am loving it. I’ve rediscovered my love for running once again and am now taking on big bike rides in excess of 20 miles in and around Doncaster.

“It’s definitely something that’s helped me get in shape, lose weight and make friends with a great bunch of lads at the football club I’ve supported since 1981.”