A REVIEW story about the weight loss achievements of a local woman sparked Heather Strait, of Chepstow, to try slimming for herself. And it worked!

Joining her local Slimming World group at Chepstow, Heather has lost 9st 1lb in a year.

She says: "I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven't seen for a while often can't believe I'm the same person. But for me it's the change on the inside that's been the biggest – I'm happier, healthier and lots more confident now."

Slimming World's Debbie Ransome, who runs groups in Chepstow and at Taurus Crafts, Lydney, describes Heather's weight loss as "incredible."

"I hope her success will inspire other people who would like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action," she said.