A LOCAL slimming consultant has celebrated a quarter of a century helping people in the town lose weight and get healthier.

Bernadette McPartland, who began working with Slimming World in Dumbarton and Helensburgh in 1996, was surprised by district manager Stephanie Caira and fellow consultants when they arrived at her Helensburgh group, held on Thursday mornings in the Masonic Hall on West Princes Street, with gifts and flowers to mark her 25 year anniversary.

Bernadette, whose classes were held online during the pandemic, said: “I can honestly say that I have loved my job over the last 25 years.

“I have also been lucky to have the most wonderful members in Helensburgh and Dumbarton over the years.”

Slimming World’s groups in Dumbarton, Balloch, Alexandria, and Renton have now resumed in person, with Covid guidelines in place, and no booking is required to attend.