A woman who was so overweight she could not find jeans to fit her has dropped six dress sizes.

Louise Williams, a member of Slimming World, at the Radlett Village Institute, in Watling Street, lost five stone in 24 months.

The 28-year-old, who was a size 20 when she joined the group in July 2012, changed her ways and now fits into size six clothes.

She has now been made Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year.

She said: “When I first came to the group I found it hard to believe I’d ever reach my target weight because I’d tried so many diets before and they’d never worked for me.

“They were always too restrictive or there was no support. I found it extremely difficult to lose weight on my own because there wasn’t anyone there to keep me going when I felt like giving up.

“With Slimming World I finally started to believe I could achieve the weight loss I’d always dreamed of – and I did. Better yet, it wasn’t just a flash in the pan, I’ve made a change for good.”

Louise, who lives in Bushey, still attends Slimming World each week to help curb her eating habits.

She now follows a healthy diet of fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, meat and fish and is encouraging her friends and family to do the same.

She also now runs her own Slimming World group in Bushey.

Hannah, who runs the Radlett group which Louise attends, says: “I’m so proud of Louise and the inspirational way in which she’s maintained her weight loss. What an amazing lady.”

Radlett Slimming World meets at 5.30pm or 7.30pm every Thursday. For more information call Hannah on 07957 164443.

The Bushey group runs from the Niland Conference Centre Rosary Priory every Tuesday at 7.30pm. For more information, call Louise on 07525 471187.