SLIMMERS in Knutsford joined forces to shed a ton in the run-up to Christmas, with a 12-week campaign paying dividends.

Slimming World members from across the town’s groups lost a combined 2,378 lbs – or 170 stone – as part of the Believe in a Slimming World Christmas drive.

The groups saw members following a Slimming World eating plan which was devised by the organisation’s team of nutritionists.

A member who lost five stone said: “Filling up on lots of satisfying foods means you’re never hungry so I’ve never felt as though I was on a diet.

“Before I joined Slimming World I thought losing weight meant going to the gym and counting calories, but now I know it’s about making healthier choices about food and becoming a bit more active.

“The support and inspiration we get from our consultants and the group have also been integral to our success.

"Because they’ve lost weight themselves, they understands the ups and downs of slimming and can offer us help and advice based on their experiences.

"Without them I don’t think we’d have achieved nearly as much.”

The groups are run by Emma Perry, Kelly Williamson and Vicky Harrison, with sessions at the Curzon on Mondays and Tuesdays, Knutsford Sports Club on Wednesdays and Bexton Primary School on Thursdays.

Kelly said: “We’re delighted that members have been committed to making healthy lifestyle changes to their diets in the run up to Christmas.

"It has made a big difference to their lives and to their whole families’ lives, and all of them are happier and healthier now.

“Slimming has never been more important. Two-thirds of the adult population in the UK are overweight and one in three 11 to 16-year-olds across the UK are overweight.

"We want to help even more people to make real changes for life.”