Hundreds of volunteers are being sought to take part in a trial which will pay them cash if they lose weight.

Run in conjunction with specialists Weight Wins, the Pounds for Pounds trial has been launched by NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent and will continue throughout 2009.

Men and women are being urged to sign up and set their personal weight loss targets to earn rewards from £70 to £425. The size of reward grows as targets become more challenging.

Claire Martin, public health specialist for the NHS in east Kent said: “Achieving a healthier weight and encouraging people to choose a healthier lifestyle are major issues.

“This scheme will be ideal for people who have tried to lose weight before but have found it difficult to make progress.

“We hope this trial will help establish whether financial incentives can motivate people to shed the pounds and keep them off.”

This is the first public trial by the NHS of a weight loss incentive scheme and a January start was chosen as many people consider losing weight after the excesses of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

To take part you need to register online on the trial’s website, you will be given a personal incentive plan with monthly targets, tips to help you lose weight and directions to local services.

To find out more, visit www.nhsweightlosstrial.com or call the trial help line on 0800 849 4000.