Pals of Tony Hodkinson drew the line when he announced he was losing weight.

He planned to raise cash for the Special Care Baby Unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital so to spur him on they sketched his body outline on the wall in the canteen of the car parts firm he works at in Huddersfield.

Six months into his challenge he’s lost more than 3 stones (20kg) thanks to some serious calorie counting and exercise.

The 60-year-old, who started off at 18st 3lbs, said his colleagues at automotive parts firm VTL and his wife had helped him enormously.

“My weekly weigh-ins at work have driven me,” said Tony, from Netherton.

“My mates have been great and it was great to see me shrinking back from the line. I feel healthier too.

Tony Hodkinson did a sponsored weight loss in aid of the special care baby unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital

“I couldn’t have done it without my wife Sue who prepares delicious calorie controlled meals for us both. She’s supported me by losing weight herself at the same time.

“I now work out in the gym which I have never done before. This is helping me maintain the weight loss and although I do still have treats I have them less often.”

Tony’s daughter Jessica spent a week on the unit 28 years ago with croup and he has friends and family who have had babies on the unit.

He said: “I know they do wonderful care at the unit which means so much to the families who have babies there.”

Tony has raised £735 for the unit.

His efforts were boosted with a hamper raffle hosted by Becky Scargill who runs Gift shop on Lidget Street Lindley.