STUDENT Mark Couzens took suffering for his art to a whole new level when he forced himself to shed pounds to highlight the issue of eating disorders in young men.

The art and design student, 20, from Southend, felt men with eating problems were being overlooked so he decided to diet and get as close as possible to size zero.

The result of his weight-loss marathon could be seen at an exhibition at South East Essex College this week, where more than 250 students showed their work.

Mr Couzens, who stood nearly naked on a plinth, said: "The media often focus on women and their eating problems, but body image is also something that has an impact on young men and I wanted to bring that to everybody's attention.

"Quite a few people who came to see me were shocked at how I looked.

"Lots of women who have suffered from anorexia have said that it made them feel less feminine. I feel like I lost my masculinity and sexuality."

After the summer Mr Couzens, who went from nine stone seven pounds to eight stone in eight weeks, will be studying a BA in critical fine art practice at the University of Brighton.

Mr Couzens wasn't the only student to approach a subject creatively for the exhibition.

Robert Lucas, 19, from Benfleet, recorded his carbon usage for two months and documented all animals that have been become extinct in Britain over the past 100 years.

He said: "I have really enjoyed such an open brief with an eco-friendly edge.

"It has made me far more aware that we should beware the consequences of our actions upon nature and that by such things as littering, we are putting species seriously at risk."

Meanwhile, Eloise Yarrow, 30, from Southend, created a six foot tall statue of Hephaestus, the Greek god of arts and crafts.

She said: "My work has certainly been hard not to miss. People have really loved it."