JANE Lim is a full-time mum from Egerton who has added a weekly cross-country run to her regular school one. Aged 41, she is devoted to her 8-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. Jane looks after herself too -- by eating sensibly and following the Weight Watchers' point system. Once a week, she slips on her running shoes and out of the house with a good friend to enjoy the fresh air and countryside around the village . . . and gets fit.

HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?

I go running once a week with a friend and I love it.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO KEEP IN SHAPE?

I run and I go to Weight Watchers classes. The running on its own wasn't enough. It's my third go at losing weight. Each time I got pregnant, I put on about four stone. I managed to shift quite a bit myself, but the last two stone, I just couldn't get rid of. I realised some of my eating habits weren't helping. It's a long-term thing. The leader, Paula, is lovely and very inspiring. We have a good laugh at the meetings, and you come out feeling happy. Also, there is diabetes in my family so it is important to do something while you can.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE RUNNING?

Because it fits in with my life. I also study A level art and I go when the children are at school. I always go with my friend. I wouldn't go on my own. These days, you can't go running on your own around Entwistle, or even Egerton. It's strange -- I hated cross-country running at school, but I love it now. And I intend to take up swimming again, go to the Horwich baths and do a mile a week.

WHERE AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO RUNNING?

We go to Entwistle Reservoir and Jumbles and around Egerton. We run about two and a half miles. We go at least once a week, though I would like to go twice.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR SHAPE, WEIGHT, FITNESS LEVELS?

Yes, I'm happy with my shape. I vary between a size 10 and 12 -- and I've not been a size 10 for years. On holiday I wore a bikini again -- it took confidence to wear it on the beach with all those beautiful Spanish ladies. I'm 5ft 3in, and I weigh between 9st and 9st 3lbs. My goal weight it 8st 7lbs. I do feel fitter. I notice a big difference when I run regularly. I feel less tired, more alert. We now get round without stopping. I was told: "If you can't talk while you're running, you're going too fast."

ANY INJURIES?

No, but I get aches and pains when I have not been running for a while. I used to run in trainers, but you can feel the difference when you wear running shoes. Proper running shoes are important. And I wear a T-shirt with leggings or jogging bottoms -- with thick, absorbent socks. We also have plenty of water to drink.

DO YOU FIND IT HARD TO FIND TIME TO GO RUNNING?

I find it hard to find time, but you can always make time. If you go with somebody else it's easier.

HAVE YOU EVER PRACTISED ANY OTHER SPORTS?

Yes, I used to ski and play a bit of tennis, but not very well. Swimming is the main one I did when I was younger. I have cycled as well, I like going out on my bike. But when you are a mum, you have to put things on the back-burner. Running is a recent thing, I've been doing it since January.

WHICH OTHER SPORT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY?

Sailing, I quite fancy that.

DO YOU DRINK OR SMOKE? AND WHAT SORT OF DIET DO YOU HAVE?

I drink a bottle of wine over the weekend. When we have friends round I may drink more. Otherwise I just have a couple of glasses on Friday and Saturday. I've never smoked, apart from when I was 13 and my mother caught me. Put me down as a non-smoker. I will eat anything. I like cooking and eating -- but the difference is that with Weight Watchers principles, you can adapt most recipes. I like chicken and fish and I love pulses, vegetables and fruit. I have a little piece of very dark chocolate every day. I can leave biscuits and crisps alone now. My children have noticed a difference in me. They think it's wonderful, they'll say: "Oh wow, mum, you look great in that." And my husband is very pleased, because I was very slim when I met him at University.

WHICH SINGLE THING WOULD IMPROVE YOUR ACTIVE LIFESTYLE?

Being able to go more often, but that's something that won't happen until the children are older. And going swimming as well, I'll be taking that up, probably next week . . .