Thirty-stone man in hunt for cure

Chris' condition means he now weighs over 30 stone

An East Sussex man who weighs more than 30 stone could die unless a cure is found for his rare genetic condition, doctors have told him.

Chris Leppard from Hastings suffers from Prader-Willi Syndrome, an inherited condition which drives him to eat constantly as he is never full up.

Mr Leppard said he gets very depressed because people automatically assume he is fat because he likes eating.

The Prader-Willi Association said one in 15,000 suffer from the condition.

Mr Leppard said: "People smoke because they are addicted to smoking, I eat because I am addicted to eating,"

He went to Seymour House Care Home in Herne Bay for help in losing weight.

John May from Seymour House said: "I think with a structured environment we can provide him with activities, a healthy eating programme and prevent him from over-eating and the risk of death."

But Mr Leppard found the regime too hard to stick to and is now back with his family, who are now trying to find a solution to his condition.