Oxfordshire firefighter Gavin Hyatt is doing his colleagues and himself a favour by fighting the flab.

He's the heaviest of the Witney crew, weighing in at more than 19 stone, and is now running into the station every day and then exercising in its new multi-gym.

"In the dangerous situations we face, we all rely on each other," he said.

"I sometimes wonder what would happen if I were in danger as I'm twice the weight of some of the crew who would risk their lives on my behalf.

"So, it's only fair that I should be as fit as everyone else."

Mr Hyatt started his regime on March 17, when he weighed in at 19st 3lb (122kg).

He aims to lose around five stone - a quarter of his body weight by August.

He's linking the personal challenge to fundraising on behalf of the Fire Fighters Charity (formerly the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund) through sponsorship.

Chris Wilson, fire station manager and community fire safety officer, said: "Gavin's a star firefighter and we're all behind what he's trying to do.

"We all experience a bit of weight fluctuation.

"I've even put on some pounds and am now using the gym.

"But Gavin was off for quite a while and put on some weight. It's admirable he's given himself a target."

The Witney station has 26 staff, nearly all retained firefighters.

Once a year they are expected to take a medical assessing their cardiovascular fitness, but there is no regulation about weight.

Mr Hyatt, 28, of Orchard Way, Witney, runs his own business as a self-employed plumber and carries a pager around with him to down tools and respond to emergencies when they come in.

He's been a firefighter since he was 20.

Mr Hyatt, who's married with four young children, said: "My wife is looking forward to me being in similar shape to when we met.

"As a plumber I work on my knees quite a bit. They've been groaning at the extra weight for quite some time now.

"I'm certainly the heaviest firefighter in Witney, though I've always been big and overweight.

"Mind you, all the English rugby team are these days classed as clinically obese, but they look pretty fit to me."

His war on weight has been given a boost by the recent arrival of gym equipment at the Welch Way station, which is now used by most of the crew.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr Hyatt and help the Fire Fighters Charity can call him on 07971 242712.