A CREECH St Michael man who was rescued at sea aims to lose 10 stone by the time of his 30th birthday to raise funds for two lifeboat stations.

Jared Colclough has signed up with Slimming World to shed the pounds in aid of the RNLI servies in Burnham-on-Sea, where he is chairman of the fundraising committee, and Exmouth.

Jared has supported the RNLI after he and three friends were picked up by the lifeboat after their boat started taking on water off Exmouth in 2015.

He said: "After being given a second chance at life by the RNLI, I want to better myself and my life and raise money for the charity that gave me the opportunity.

"We were not wearing life jackets at the time of rescue although my 13-year-old cousin was wearing a buoyancy aid. This was very nearly a costly mistake."

Jared now delivers sea safety messages to the public such as wearing and maintaining your life jacket and promotes the RNLI's Respect The Water and Float To Live campaigns at fundraising events.

He wants to lose 10 stone, but his interim goal is to lose 100lb by July 27 next year, when he turns 30. As well as dieting, he plans to take up exercise and increase his activity levels.

Jared said: "Any support will be greatly appreciated whether it be financial or words of encouragement and all monies raised will be split 50/50 between Burnham-on-Sea and Exmouth lifeboat stations."

You can sponsor him at justgiving.com/RNLIchallenge