IT'S no more couch potato lifestyle for one Southampton family who have bravely signed up to a project to help them look and feel great this summer.

Carolyn Vanstone, her daughter Elaine, 14, and son Andy, 17, have been given free platinum memberships to city leisure and gym facilities for six months.

The family are taking part in a national campaign to promote healthy lifestyles to young people and their families.

Over the next few months the family will be getting specialist coaching from a sports scientist from Leisure Connection and dietary advice from a local dietician.

They are one of ten families nation wide who have been selected to take part in the Weight Wise project.

Carolyn, of Twyford Road, Shirley said: "I'm more of a couch potato than a gym-goer so this will be a challenge.

"But once we all get into it, it will be fine.

"This will improve our fitness levels and can only do good.

"The children are very keen and we felt, as a family with teenagers, it's good to change our lifestyles now before we are too set in our ways.

"We appreciate the council's involvement in helping us and will take full advantage."

Nick Murphy, executive director for neighbourhoods at the city council, said: "It's great that the Weight Wise campaign is active in Southampton.

"I am pleased we can help the Vanstone family with a platinum health and fitness membership."

Priya Tew, the dietician responsible for the Vanstone's overhaul, said: "The main thing we will be focusing on is eating more fruit and vegetables, cutting out junk food and getting involved in more activity overall.

"They are all doing really well so far and I think it's going to be a success."