Barnsley woman's Facebook letter goes viral

Lindsey Swift said she was heckled by a motorist while running near Barnsley

A woman's open letter to an "idiot" van driver who heckled her about her weight while she was jogging has been shared online more than 2,000 times.

Lindsey Swift, of Barnsley, said the man sang a "sarcastic" rendition of pop song Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) as he drove past.

In the letter on Facebook, the 26-year-old told the driver if he was offended by seeing her running "try driving with your eyes closed".

She said: "I wanted to have my say."

"Normally I don't get militant about these things, idiots are idiots," the letter continued.

"However, I can see why comments like these might put a person less confident than me off from running, and that is shameful. Everyone starts somewhere.

"[But] if my fat arse running (quite slowly I might add, I was shattered) offends you and spoils your journey, try driving with your eyes closed, into a lamppost."

'Embarrassing situation'

The letter has been shared more than 2,000 times on Facebook

Ms Swift, who is training for a 10km (six miles) run, said she was heckled near Barnsley on 6 August.

She said: "It was quite an embarrassing situation.

"Usually I'm not easily hurt, but my boyfriend was running a little bit ahead of me and so he stopped and I had to explain the situation to him. It was quite intimidating.

"Because he drove past I did not have a chance to respond to him in person.

"Everybody has an opinion about health and things like that but some things, like my body, are not public property and I do not think anybody has the right to make comments like that."

She said she had received numerous messages of support since posting the letter on Friday.

Clare Wright wrote: "Well said Lindsey. You're doing fab! It's awful. I hate running round where I live because of the hecklers!"

Chloe Standish said: "Well said Lindsey!! You keep going girl you're doing brilliant!! And you're beautiful inside and out."