A truly giant slimming challenge came to an end for Ilkley cricketer Toby Elkington on Saturday.

And the 6ft 5ins bowler, who six months ago weighed in at 25 stone, is looking forward to a very happy New Year after shedding nearly six stone.

Toby's monster-sized slimming effort has also raised around £1,500 for his team, Olicanian Cricket Club (OCC), to develop new wicket and net areas.

Now a much trimmer 19 stone 3lbs thanks to following a healthy eating and exercise regime, the 31-year-old is actually disappointed not to have quite reached his 18 stone target weight.

But as his Ilkley Weight Watchers instructor Audrey Wilson points out, losing so much weight in half a year is an amazing feat by anyone's standards.

She told the Ilkley Gazette: "I knew Toby was quite determined from the minute he started and I thought he would stick to it, so I am delighted he has.

"Because he had a lot of weight to lose it has come off a little bit quicker but still at a healthy rate.

"And he has done a lot of activities like cycling, too, which has certainly helped.

"I'm sure he will have a few treats over Christmas and the New Year but if he does put a few pounds on he'll know how to lose them again, so I have no fears about that.

"I am sure he'll get down to 18 stone very soon because he is still enjoying what he's eating, it's just that what he has is better for him now."

Toby is certainly looking forward to tucking into some rich festive fare after such a long period of abstinence.

He said: "I can't really complain about losing more than five and a half stone, but I'm going to keep on going until I reach my target - I am going to do it!

"I'm determined to lose more weight but I think I'll put it on hold now until after the Christmas holidays.

"The thing I'm looking forward to most is having a nice curry or a pizza, and of course a few beers to wash it all down with."

Toby's sponsors and supporters include the chairman of Leeds United Football Club, Peter Ridsdale, who vowed to give £100 to the lifelong Leeds fan and season ticket holder if he stuck to his diet.

Toby is also keeping his fingers crossed for an appearance in the Elland Road club's New Year match programme - hopefully with a photograph of him receiving the money from a top Leeds United player like Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka.

As for cricket, he can't wait to get back out on to the playing fields with OCC when the new season starts again in April.

"It will be interesting to see if it makes a big difference to my game," he said.

"It won't make me a better player but it should make me a quicker one!"