TV viewers are to share in the ups and downs of a Keighley mum's battle to lose weight .

Hilary Smith, 43, is to be featured in a documentary series which mirrors Fat Friends, the drama set in a slimming club. The programmes follow her bid to slim down from 11st 6lb to 10st 2lb.

The series of short films featuring mum-of-two Hilary and fellow slimmers is due to be broadcast on the Granada-backed digital channel Wellbeing later in the spring.

Cameras filmed Hilary's first Weight Watchers' meeting at Airedale Church Centre, Keighley and visited her Oakworth home. She has also compiled a video diary to chronicle her efforts.

Keighley Cougars rugby league players can also expect to feature in the series, illustrating the slimmers' success. Players Michael Slicker (left), Alan Boothroyd, Ian Hughes, Darren Carter and Paul Harrison are pictured with super slimmers from the Weight Watchers group. Hilary's class shed 312 stone in 11 weeks - equivalent to the combined weight of the Cougars' squad.

Hilary now weighs in at 10st 8lb and is more than half-way towards her target.

She said: "I suppose it will be a bit like a real-life version of Fat Friends.

"I normally do a lot of sport but got an Achilles tendon injury last year and because I haven't been able to do much exercise put on a bit of weight.

"It wasn't a great deal but I felt a bit lardy and wanted to lose a bit, so I joined the class. I have found it an easy diet to stick to as it's basically about healthy eating.

"The filming hasn't been as bad as I expected and knowing it's going to be on TV is an added incentive to succeed.

"My video diaries include a mini-cruise to Amsterdam with the family, which shows you can get away for a few days and eat what you like without putting on weight.

"I've also been filmed holding six 250g packs of lard - which is 3.5lbs - saying 'if you imagine 18 packs that's how much weight I've lost already.'''

Linda Brown, who runs the classes, said: "Hilary's achieved a lot in a very short space of time. It has been very brave of her to be followed round by a camera crew and have her personal and family life filmed for TV.

"She will be a bit of a celebrity and it'll be nice for us to show you can lead a normal life and still lose weight.''

Project researcher Yvette Lyons said Wellbeing - which broadcasts on Sky Digital channel 211 and ONDigital channel 63 - was set to start showing the programmes towards the end of April or beginning of May.

She said: "Hilary's a bright and bubbly character, whose personality will make for some really interesting video diary pieces.

"I think people will identify with her because she's someone who likes having a good time but is also determined to lose weight.''