Louise Duffy was given the crown by her Slimming World group in the Vale after losing an amazing six stone in a year.

The 37-year-old attends Christine Warren’s Wednesday evening group at St. Martin’s Church Hall, Renton.

Louise said: “Last January (2013) I knew I had to do something about my weight. I was in constant back pain, my joints hurt all over and I was frightened I would develop diabetes.

“I was always a bigger girl and I pretended it never really bothered me.

“For 10 years I worked for a travel company overseas, I ate and drank what I wanted but I was very active so my weight never really changed.

“I moved back to Bonhill four-years-ago and went from being quite active to sitting behind a desk 9 to 5. Soon I realised that eating what I wanted was piling on the pounds.

“Stepping on the scales for the first time was mortifying but my lovely consultant, Christine, assured me I would never see that number again.

“Your weight is confidential and there is no humiliation at Slimming World.

“Over the last year Christine was always there for me, supporting me through every single week, sending me messages to stay motivated and now here I am a year later, a new woman, six stone lighter and six dress sizes smaller — I was a size 22 and now a slinky size 12.” Christine holds morning and evening groups every Tuesday and Wednesday at St. Martin’s Church Hall, Renton or call 01389 757193 for details.