IN the back of Weight Watchers leader Jane Lee's wardrobe lurks a dark secret - a giant pair of size 20 trousers.

The size 10 mum-of-two keeps them as a reminder of how far she's come with her weight loss.

"I always think it's really good to keep something to remind yourself how much bigger you were," she said.

"And they're a great prop to take to meetings to help motivate members."

Jane, 34, of Orchard Drive, Oswaldtwistle, lost 51lbs (from 13st 10lbs to 9st 5lbs) using the Weight Watchers Points system - this month celebrating its 10th anniversary.

"After seeing a photograph of myself at a Christmas party I realised I had to do something," said Jane.

"I was a size 20 and on the verge of needing the next size up. I used to eat burgers, pizzas and Chinese takeaways a couple of times a week. I'd walk to the Co-op and buy a big bag of crisps, eat them on the way home and then hide the bag in the outside bin so my husband Tim wouldn't see."

Now, at her goal weight, Jane follows the Points plan maintenance and typically eats bran flakes and fruit for breakfast, jacket potato with beans for lunch and spaghetti and meatballs for tea.

"I think the Points system is so popular because it's not faddy. It doesn't cut out any food groups and you don't have to deny yourself anything," she said.

"It's achievable long-term, which is where a lot of diets fall down. You can choose to have a Big Mac for nine-and-a-half points, or for the same points you could eat enough pasta to feed three people. It's up to you."

The Weight Watchers Points system is based on the theory that the more saturated fat a food contains, the unhealthier it is likely to be. Consequently the number of Points value allocated to each food type depends on how many calories and how much saturated fat it contains.

Each person, depending on their height and weight will be allowed to "spend" a certain number of points every day to guarantee weight loss.

When the system - which attempted to by-pass the inconvenience of weighing food and counting calories and offer flexibility - was launched in September 1996 membership shot up by 40 per cent and the Weight Watchers handbook ran out of print.

Fans say the diet is so successful because no food group is banned. If the slimmer wants chocolate they can have it - as long as they account for it using points.

But critics reckon any diet which relies on willpower is bound to fail in the long term. Studies have shown that up tp 90 per cent fo all dieters put the weight back on within five years.

Onr woman who found a new lease of life after shedding her excess weight using the system is mum-of-four Nicola Clarke, 35, of Lynwood Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors.

"I was 16st 4lbs and a size 20," she said. "Two and a half years ago I joined Weight Watchers and reached my goal nine months later. Now I fluctuate between 9st 7lbs and 10st 7lbs.

"I used to have long hair and I had it cut short so I've undergone a transformation. I didn't see my brother-in-law for a while and when I did he didn't recognise me! I tried slimming products and crash diets where you're only allowed to eat beetroot, eggs and grapefruit but they all failed. The Points system isn't a diet any more, it's a way of life."

And Blackburn woman Karen Davies knows the Points system is the best for her - because she's tried them all.

The 38-year-old, of Colombia Way, said: "I joined Weight Watchers after getting some holiday photos back and realising I looked hideous.

"I was 13st 2lbs and a size 18. Since April I've lost 22lbs and now I'm a size 14. I've still got a stone to lose but I'm confident I can do it.

"The system is the best way to lose weight I know because I've tried them all.

"This is a realistic way of losing weight."