A SON will race against his mother carrying the amount of weight she has managed to lose in just six months.

Mum Helen Ritchie, 38, has lost five stone two in order to take part in The Malvern Spring, a 5km multi-terrain fun run on Sunday, July 1.

Her son, Christopher, aged 18, is a sergeant in the Army Cadets (The Rifles).

He will be running in full Army gear and with a heavy backpack carrying the amount of weight his mum has lost.

The pair both work at the Three Counties Show-ground. Press officer there, Sharon Gilbert, said: "Helen is our lettings officer - in charge of venue hire/operations for events outside the Showground's main events - and is currently losing weight with Slimming World." "I had a bet with her that she could lose five-and-a-half stone before the Malvern Music Experience outdoor concert in August so, with a month and a half and only 5lbs to go, she is well on track. Chris is part of the ground staff and believes the run will be a doddle', even with all the extremely heavy equipment he will be carrying."

The Spring Run is part of the big Acorns Great Malvern Triple Run, taking place at the showground and its immediate surrounds this weekend. Helen will also be doing a sponsored swim in September - she is planning to swim along Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England.

She said: "It used to be a struggle to get up the stairs to my flat and so I am astounded that I have managed to lose this weight and am now considering a five-km walk.

"I know I won't beat Chris though, who is even hoping to lap me, but I am pleased with what I have achieved."