I HAVE been writing about the fab weight-loss trial I've been taking part in with local clinical hypnotherapist Noel Bradford, and am delighted to report that I've lost half a stone!

The mixture of weekly hypnotherapy sessions and listening to the CD at home have helped me in my mission to drop a dress size for the summer.

I was initially a bit unsure about hypnotherapy, wondering if it was all mumbo jumbo, but the results speak for themselves.

I was hooked after the first session, when Noel hypnotised me to stop eating chocolate, and although I can now manage a packet of Maltesers - as there's more honeycomb than chocolate - I still can't face a full-on chocolate bar.

Noel runs weekly clinics on the Uxbridge Road in Hillingdon, from the Synergie Counselling offices. You can contact him using the details below, or why not have a chat with him at Party in the Park on June 27 at Fassnidge Park in Uxbridge?

Noel will be on the Synergie Counselling stand at the event between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. I'll be the one rushing around in a Sunshine Magazine T-shirt looking frazzled, but a little bit smaller than I did this time last year, so if you want to know more from someone who's experienced hypnotherapy, feel free to come and find me on the day.

It's Father's Day on Sunday, and if your children want to do something special with their dad, why not take them to the London Motor Museum on Nestlés Avenue, Hayes, where dads can get in for free for Father's Day?

However, my must-do tip for this weekend is the Teddy-tacular! taking place at St John's Church on Hillingdon Hill on Saturday from 2-4pm.

It's part of the celebrations for the St John's Festival. Alex went a few years ago and still talks about it now.

The children can take their favourite soft toy, a parachute is attached and the toy parachutes from the top of the church tower. Alex still has the teddy parachute certificate up in his bedroom.

As well as parachuting teddies the vicarage garden will be housing lots of bear-related fun, with snacks, crafts, toys and a mini petting zoo between 11am and 4pm.

Have a great weekend.

Where to click:  www.noelbradford.com  or call 0870 0429805.

Noel Bradford has weekly clinics in Hillingdon at Synergie Counselling on the Uxbridge Road. [25cf] www.londonmotormuseum.co.uk, 08001 950777, Nestlés Avenue, Hayes, open every day 10am-6pm

www.stjohnshillingdon.org.uk . There is a full festival events programme on the website. The festival runs between June 12 and 21, and family day is the 20th.