SHEDDING the pounds is a tough challenge for most people.

But big Clint Daniel has the motivation of knowing that every bit he loses will raise cash to help sick children.

Weighing in at 23 stone 4lb, the imposing pub landlord decided a diet was well overdue - but little did he know his plans would turn into a charity money-spinner.

Regulars at The Talisman in Park Gate include Helen Somerset-How, a fundraiser for The Rainbow Centre in Fareham.

When she heard of his plans the pair quickly came up with a fundraising angle for Clint's super slimming efforts.

Clint said: "It was a case of the two of us getting our heads together and coming up with the idea.

"I was going on a diet anyway but this gives me a real motivation."

Clint, 42, has always been a keen rugby player and also a one-time American football player, but life behind the bar has taken its toll.

He said: "Unfortunately the hours I work mean I snack a lot and end up eating at odd times of the day.

"My plan is to have a complete lifestyle change and that means three square meals and proper exercise."

As a prop forward for Fareham and Gosport rugby union team, the burly landlord says his weight is an advantage in the scrums but means he struggles to last a match.

He said: "I have always enjoyed my rugby but I want to be fitter for matches and by being sponsored for the Rainbow Centre at the same time there is a real motivation for me to reach my goal."

The plan is for father-of-one Clint to shed over three stone during the next three months for the charity but he is not planning on stopping there.

He said: "My target weight is 18 stones, but that may take longer than three months so we wanted to do a sponsored event that would make some money for the centre."

Clint plans to weigh-in every month and run a book on what his weight will be each time.

Customers will win some money and some will go to The Rainbow Centre as well as sponsorship money he collects during his campaign.

Mrs Somerset-How said: "We thought it was a really good way of losing weight as well as helping our charity out at the same time."