A clinical hypnotherapist is looking for people who want to lose weight and help a food bank at the same time.

Rachael Armstrong, of Ilkley, wants people to come forward for free Virtual Gastric Band (VGB) sessions.

Participants will get a full free programme for the virtual gastric band for weight loss and in exchange for every pound of weight lost they will be asked to donate £1 of food to a local food bank.

Rachael said the project, which she is calling ‘pounds for pounds’, was a chance for people who are unhappy with their over-eating and are unable to control their portions, the chance to do something positive for themselves and others who are going hungry.

“I want to give people the chance to break any unhappiness resulting from over-eating which is particularly traditional at Christmas,” she said.

“It is not to ruin the fun of a time for enjoying lovely food. But for some people Christmas can be a challenging time and make them miserable.

“Over-eating is just a symptom of something deeper. It is emotional and psychological and it is not easy to deal with these problems unsupported.

“Many people start the New Year trying quick-fix options that don’t work because diets don’t deal with the underlying emotional causes.

“This gives them chance to get through Christmas with a new mindset and start 2014 looking forward to greater health.”

Rachael is looking for people who are able to come to Ilkley for the sessions, which will be held once a week for four weeks. The first one will last for 90 minutes and after that one hour.

“Unlike the surgical procedure people do not need to be classed as clinically obese, be fit for surgery or have a high BMI (body mass index) to be eligible,” added Rachael.

“Ideally I want people to take part whose weight impacts on their health.”

To find out more go to progressthroughhypnosis.co.uk or e-mail Rachael at rachael@ progressthroughhypnosis.co.uk or call 07851 906696.