A Whitehaven couple have discovered that the best way to lose weight is to do it together.

Chris and Rachel Fox have lost six stone between them in just 18 weeks after deciding to join a slimming club together.

They have also been named couple of the year by their Slimming World leader Karen Quin.

The Whitehaven couple, who are industrial cleaners at Sellafield, both struggled with their weight.

“When you get a house together you don’t realise how comfortable you get and the weight just starts to pile on,” Rachel said.

It was the birth of their daughter nearly two years ago that provided the impetus the couple needed.

Over Christmas last year, as baby Evie-Mae began getting very mobile, the couple decided they had to do something.

They took the momentous step of joining their local Slimming World.

They knew what to expect but were still shocked to realise that Chris was over 23 stone and Rachel, who had already lost three stone, still weighed over 13 stone.

Now, 18 weeks later, Chris has lost three stone and seven pounds while Rachel is two-and-a-half stone lighter.

The secret to their success is the support they get from the club but, even more, the support they can get together.

Cooking together has become a quite regular chore in their home and family time has become more enjoyable the couple said.

“We have more energy and we are setting Evie-Mae “Now that our daughter is growing and exploring more we didn't want to be the unhealthy parents that are sat on the park bench or sat not been able to join in with her at soft play, we are now able to do these activities with her which is really fun to do”, Rachel said.

Chris said he was unsure about the diet at first: "How can you eat all that food and lose weight?" was his concern.

But lose it he has.

The couple have even been able to make allowances for special occasions like enjoying a birthday cake for Evie-Mae.

Going to Slimming World was a major decision but one they will never regret,