THE battle of the bulge culminated with two 'not quite' heavyweights weighing out at the Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth, on Friday after six weeks of intensive weight-loss sponsorship in aid of the Dart Music Festival.

Hotelier Nigel Way and surgeon-turned- GP Phil Braakenburg lost a massive 67lbs between them and managed to raise about £1,000 in sponsorship for the festival.

Both 'slimmers' cut down on alcohol and halved the amount of food they ate to achieve what was an impressive weight loss.

At the start of their epic sacrifice, they both weighed in at a hefty 19st.

Pam Braakenburg, chairman of the music festival, said: 'The festival now costs more than £40,000 to stage, so this amount is very gratefully received.

'The event, which has grown in popularity over the years, takes place on May 11,12 and 13. The music is all booked and the festival promises to be one of the best yet.'