A PHOTOGRAPH taken a year ago inspired a Davenham grandmother to lose more than 7st and get fit for her family.

Tina Lowe was also determined to get in shape before her 50th birthday, which she celebrated this month.

She said: "Life takes over so you gain weight but then these grandkids came along and I thought 'I can't keep up with them and I'm not even 50 yet, I need to get a grip'.

"I never had my picture taken but I had it taken last Christmas and didn't recognise myself.

"I started on January 7 last year and have lost an average of two-and-a-half pounds every week, I'm very strict with it."

Tina, who is grandmother to Harry and Frankie, aged four and one, and is the help desk officer at Knutsford Police Station, joined Weight Watchers in Winsford, run by Emma Brown.

She weighed 18st 3lb and was a size 24 when she started at the group and now weighs 10st 10lb and has just bought her first pair of size 12 jeans.

"I've done everything Emma's asked me to do," she said.

"I've been eating more home made meals and lots of fruit.

"There have been loads of health benefits as well – my skin's less greasy and my hair feels better, all different things, not just weight loss."

Emma said: "Tina has been such a huge inspiration to myself and the other members of the Winsford Weight Watchers meeting.

"She is proof that you can lose weight while still enjoying the foods you love, including during tempting times like Christmas, birthdays and celebrations.

"Weight loss isn't about deprivation and food is not the enemy, in fact, knowing the foods you love and incorporating them into your eating plan can be the key to weight loss success as it will help you to stay on track – Tina's story is proof of this."