NOT ONLY do Maxonians live long and happy lives, but we are also much slimmer than our neighbours.

East Cheshire is keeping obesity at bay in comparison to other PCTs just a stone’s throw away, according to this year’s "fat map", which tells us who’s big and who’s not up and down the country.

And whether you are in a "fat" region depends, in Macclesfield’s case, on just a matter of a few miles.

For although Macclesfield’s PCT is in the lowest band for obesity cases, with just 6.6 per cent of its patients in the category – right next door, North Staffordshire PCT has a "high" number of registered cases with 8.4pc.

And bordering directly to the east, Derbyshire is also a danger zone, with 8.1pc.

So people in Kettleshulme who consider moving to Whaley Bridge just a two minute drive down the road had better watch their calories.

Likewise for residents of Rushton Spencer eyeing a move to Rudyard, just over the border in Staffordshire.

So it looks like Macclesfield has escaped by the skin of its teeth – but one Silk Town super slimmer is testament to the fat map’s claims.

Heather Pointer, 34, of Mill Lane, lost four stones in seven months and now helps others in Macclesfield to shift the weight at her own packed-out Slimming World sessions. She says Macclesfield is the perfect place to get in shape.

"I walk my dog a lot and we’re lucky there are so many parks in Macclesfield and countryside nearby. There is massive interest in the slimming classes, GPs are helping more and people are getting more active and realising that small changes make a big difference. Macclesfield has good access to weight-loss amenities in East Cheshire."

Heather wants to start a scheme of GP referral to Slimming World and is plugging the benefits of losing just 10pc of your body weight.

The former midwife added: "The Macclesfield classes are so successful because we support each other, and there’s a real sense of community."

It remains to be seen whether East Cheshire is as trim as the "fat map" suggests as this year’s survey, by Dr Foster Research, is based on GP records and assumes that all obese patients have been monitored.

A Dr Foster spokesman said: "If all records are up to date then East Cheshire is doing well, but time will tell."

A spokeswoman for East Cheshire PCT said: "We would expect to be in one of the lower bands due to the low level of deprivation in the area. But we can’t be complacent and will concentrate on weight management programmes."

An MBC spokesman said: "Sport England research showed Macclesfield residents involved in sports and recreation was the third highest in England. Many of our programmes encourage residents to enjoy the facilities and countryside around them."

Heather’s Slimming World classes are held on Mondays at St John’s Church, Earlsway, the Weston, at 5pm and 7pm, and Thursdays at the Fermain Club, on Oxford Road, at 5pm and 7pm.


* THE "FATTEST" region, according to the survey, is the Shetland Isles, which has an obesity level of 15.5pc.