A new 16-week football league exclusively for overweight men is coming to Blaby next year.

Man v Fat Football is the fast-growing, innovative weight-management scheme for men. Since its introduction in Solihull back in January 2016 it has seen thousands of men lose weight through playing football in weekly 30-minute games.

With Man v Fat becoming more popular, Blaby District Council has helped to arrange a league at Blaby & Whetstone Youth Club from January 2018. The Council is part-funding the league, offering players 20% off the cost of taking part in each season.

The Blaby-based league will be the first in Leicester and Leicestershire, joining over 40 other Man v Fat leagues across the UK. As well as points for winning games, teams are rewarded for weight-loss, with bonus goals given for teams who shed the pounds.

Competitors do not need to live in the district to take advantage of the 20% discount.

Councillor Iain Hewson, Portfolio Holder for Health Improvement, Leisure and Regulatory Services, said: "This is a perfect opportunity for men who want to lose weight. Man v Fat is a unique league which gives men a chance to play football every week and get the support they need to keep the weight off.

"We're proud to be able to offer the first league in Leicestershire so we know this is going to be popular. I encourage people to sign up as soon as possible to secure their place in the first league season."

The first meeting of registered players will take place at Blaby & Whetstone Youth Club on Wednesday 31 January 2018, 8-10pm. The league will begin from 07 February and run until May.