IT is a slippery slope - age is creeping up and any excuse is good enough not to launch that battle against the bulge.

However, for two of Hampshire's porkiest pets there is no more delay as they go on a mission to shed the pounds after winning a place in their very own Pet Fit Club.

Chelsea the dumpy dog and Cindy the chubby cat are two of ten specially selected pets ready to fight the fat and become PDSA's Biggest Loser.

Both have faced obstacles to their fitness regime in the past but now their owners are determined to get them fighting fit once more.

Chelsea is one portly pooch who weighs in at 9.3kgs, one stone six pounds, and is 63 per cent overweight.

The 17-year-old Jack Russell/ Patterdale cross faces a tougher task than most as she only has three legs.

Her leg had to be amputated after she was hit by a van earlier this year but Chelsea's sweet tooth has always been a problem.

Owner Linda Phillips of Abercrom-bie Gardens, Lordshill, Southampton, said: "Chelsea will eat pretty much anything and everything going not only pet food but my food too."

Linda, 50, added: "Since the accident she has lost some weight but I am determined to help her slim down even more so she can have a better quality of life."

Chelsea faces hefty competition. Cindy is one cat that will definitely not be getting any more cream as she weighs 7kgs, just over one stone, making her 65 per cent overweight.

The five-year-old started piling on the pounds when her owners moved into a flat three years ago, putting an end to the exercise she used to get by playing in the garden.

John Ross, Cindy's owner, said: "We have been struggling with her weight now she is a flat cat. We are happy Cindy is in the fit club and it is an extra incentive for us to be strict with her."

John, 66, of Obelisk Road, Woolston, Southampton, added: "We encourage her to play but we end up exhausted ourselves. Cats are different to dogs and will only play when they want to."

The pet with the best proportional weight loss over the 100-day diet and fitness programme will be crowned PDSA Pet Fit Club champ in December with its owner winning a four-night break for themselves and their pet in Wales.

PDSA vet Steve Leonard said: "Our aim is to educate owners about pet diet and fitness and demonstrate that safe weight-loss is possible for pets."