Jan Mack, 39, decided to change her eating habits for good by joining a slimming group in January last year, along with her mum, Pat McGibbon, of Akeley. Mrs McGibbon managed to shed 2st 7lbs in six months.

Mrs Mack said:"I have been overweight ever since I can remember and I have tried all sorts of diets.

"With some I did lose weight, but they were not sustainable so the weight crept back on again.

"I still enjoy ketchup and mayonnaise and the occasional glass of wine when I go out, everything is possible with the plan."

Mrs Mack is just one of many people in the Advertiser & Review region who join organised slimming groups.

Attending weekly sessions – in the company of other slimmers, who can help and support each other – provides some people with the motivation they need to successfully lose weight. The consultants who run the meetings have often used the group's weight loss programme themselves and share their insight and advice with members.

Mrs Mack managed to lose the weight by following the Slimming World food optimising plan as a member of the Buckingham Slimming World group. She will now go forward to the national 'Miss Slinky' final.