They are not very fit but they are raring to go!

Our eight Fit Idol contestants have been picked and have undergone their first training session.

Over the next eight weeks the self-confessed couch potatoes will be sweating it out as they all bid to be named Fit Idol 2008.

Each has a different reason for wanting to change their lifestyle but they are united in one aim - to shed those pounds and have more energy!

The eight are:

Darren Simpson, 39, a town partnership co-ordinator of Millfield Manor, Whitstable; Hilary Roberts, 46, head housekeeper at the Victoria Hotel, Canterbury, from Chestfield; primary school teacher Fay Parks, 29, of Eversleigh Rise, Whitstable; driving instructor Pete Stanley, 28, of Ashburn Gardens, Herne Bay.

Ben McIntyre, 29, a security guard who lives in Canterbury; history teacher Domenic DePalois, 46, of St Dunstan's Street, Canterbury; Bridie Passmore, 29, of The Street, Goodnestone, a finance manager and parish council clerk; and grandmother Karen Ives, of Leighville Drive, Herne Bay.

You can follow their progess on the website.

To see how they got on at their first session, see the Kentish Gazette, out on Thursday.